Air Quality, Pollution and Sustainability Trends in South Asia: A Population-Based Study

Saima Abdul Jabbar, Laila Tul Qadar, Sulaman Ghafoor, Lubna Rasheed, Zouina Sarfraz, Azza Sarfraz, Muzna Sarfraz, Miguel Felix and Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda
Additional contact information
Saima Abdul Jabbar: Research, Nishtar Medical University, Multan 60000, Pakistan
Laila Tul Qadar: Research, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur 06318, Pakistan
Sulaman Ghafoor: Research, Nishtar Medical University, Multan 60000, Pakistan
Lubna Rasheed: Research, University Medical and Dental College Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38800, Pakistan
Zouina Sarfraz: Research and Publications, Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Queen’s Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Azza Sarfraz: Pediatrics and Child Health, The Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
Muzna Sarfraz: Research, King Edward Medical University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Miguel Felix: Allergy and Pulmonology, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón 0901-952, Ecuador
Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda: Allergy and Pulmonology, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón 0901-952, Ecuador

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 12, 1-16

Abstract: Introduction: Worsening air quality and pollution lead to numerous environmental health and sustainability issues in the South Asia region. This study analyzes India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal for air quality data trends and sustainability indicators. Methodology: By using a population-based study design, six South Asian countries were analyzed using a step-wise approach. Data were obtained from government websites and publicly available repositories for region dynamics and key variables. Results: Between 1990 and 2020, air quality data indicated the highest rise in CO 2 emissions in India (578.5 to 2441.8 million tons) (MT), Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. Greenhouse gas emissions, from 1990 to 2018, nearly tripled in India (1990.4 to 3346.6 MT of CO 2 -equivalents), Nepal (20.6 to 54.6 MT of CO 2 -equivalents), and Pakistan, and doubled in Bangladesh. Methane emissions rose the highest in Pakistan (70.4 to 151 MT of CO 2 -equivalents), followed by Nepal (17 to 31 MT of CO 2 -equivalents) and India (524.8 to 669.3 MT of CO 2 -equivalents). Nitrous oxide nearly doubled in Bangladesh (16.5 to 29.3 MT of CO 2 -equivalents), India (141.6 to 256.9 MT of CO 2 -equivalents), Nepal (17 to 31 MT of CO 2 -equivalents), and more than doubled in Pakistan (27 to 61 MT of CO 2 -equivalents). On noting particulate matter 2,5 annual exposure, India saw the highest rise from 81.3 µg/m 3 (in 1990) to 90.9 µg/m 3 (2017), whereas trends were steady in Pakistan (60.34 to 58.3 µg/m 3 ). The highest rise was noted in Nepal (87.6 to 99.7 µg/m 3 ) until 2017. During the coronavirus disease 19 pandemic, the pre-and post-pandemic changes between 2018 and 2021 indicated the highest PM 2.5 concentration in Bangladesh (76.9 µg/m 3 ), followed by Pakistan (66.8 µg/m 3 ), India (58.1 µg/m 3 ), Nepal (46 µg/m 3 ) and Sri Lanka (17.4 µg/m 3 ). Overall, South Asian countries contribute to the worst air quality and sustainability trends regions worldwide. Conclusions: Air pollution is prevalent across a majority of South Asia countries. Owing to unsustainable industrial practices, pollution trends have risen to hazardous levels. Economic, environmental, and human health impacts have manifested and require urgent, concerted efforts by governing bodies in the region.

Keywords: air quality; air pollution; sustainability; South Asia; population trends (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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