Acute Health Impacts of the Southeast Asian Transboundary Haze Problem—A Review

Kang Hao Cheong, Nicholas Jinghao Ngiam, Geoffrey G. Morgan, Pin Pin Pek, Benjamin Yong-Qiang Tan, Joel Weijia Lai, Jin Ming Koh, Marcus Eng Hock Ong and Andrew Fu Wah Ho
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Kang Hao Cheong: Science and Math Cluster, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore 487372, Singapore
Nicholas Jinghao Ngiam: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119074, Singapore
Geoffrey G. Morgan: School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Pin Pin Pek: Department of Emergency Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608, Singapore
Benjamin Yong-Qiang Tan: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119074, Singapore
Joel Weijia Lai: Science and Math Cluster, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore 487372, Singapore
Jin Ming Koh: Science and Math Cluster, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore 487372, Singapore
Marcus Eng Hock Ong: Department of Emergency Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608, Singapore
Andrew Fu Wah Ho: SingHealth Duke-NUS Emergency Medicine Academic Clinical Programme, Singapore 169857, Singapore

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 18, 1-18

Abstract: Air pollution has emerged as one of the world’s largest environmental health threats, with various studies demonstrating associations between exposure to air pollution and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Regional air quality in Southeast Asia has been seasonally affected by the transboundary haze problem, which has often been the result of forest fires from “slash-and-burn” farming methods. In light of growing public health concerns, recent studies have begun to examine the health effects of this seasonal haze problem in Southeast Asia. This review paper aims to synthesize current research efforts on the impact of the Southeast Asian transboundary haze on acute aspects of public health. Existing studies conducted in countries affected by transboundary haze indicate consistent links between haze exposure and acute psychological, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological morbidity and mortality. Future prospective and longitudinal studies are warranted to quantify the long-term health effects of recurrent, but intermittent, exposure to high levels of seasonal haze. The mechanism, toxicology and pathophysiology by which these toxic particles contribute to disease and mortality should be further investigated. Epidemiological studies on the disease burden and socioeconomic cost of haze exposure would also be useful to guide policy-making and international strategy in minimizing the impact of seasonal haze in Southeast Asia.

Keywords: Big data; data analytics; transboundary; haze; air pollution; fire; healthcare; environmental epidemiology; public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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