Air Quality, Pollution and Sustainability Trends in South Asia

A Population-Based Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15470958
AuthorsSaima Abdul Jabbar (Nishtar Medical College and Hospital), Laila Tul Qadar (Bahawal Victoria Hospital), Sulaman Ghafoor (Nishtar Medical College and Hospital), Lubna Rasheed (0000-0002-5378-8079, Punjab Medical College), Zouina Sarfraz (0000-0002-5132-7455, Fatima Jinnah Medical University, corresponding author), Azza Sarfraz (0000-0001-8206-5745, Aga Khan University), Muzna Sarfraz (0000-0002-1406-5740, King Edward Medical University), Miguel Félix (0000-0002-2243-3646, Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo), Iván Chérrez-Ojeda (0000-0002-1610-239X, Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue12
Pages7534-7534
Publication date2022-06-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19127534
OpenAlexW4283272465
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited73

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 CO2 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 CO2-equivalents), Nepal (20.6 to 54.6 MT of CO2-equivalents), and Pakistan, and doubled in Bangladesh. Methane emissions rose the highest in Pakistan (70.4 to 151 MT of CO2-equivalents), followed by Nepal (17 to 31 MT of CO2-equivalents) and India (524.8 to 669.3 MT of CO2-equivalents). Nitrous oxide nearly doubled in Bangladesh (16.5 to 29.3 MT of CO2-equivalents), India (141.6 to 256.9 MT of CO2-equivalents), Nepal (17 to 31 MT of CO2-equivalents), and more than doubled in Pakistan (27 to 61 MT of CO2-equivalents). On noting particulate matter 2,5 annual exposure, India saw the highest rise from 81.3 μg/m3 (in 1990) to 90.9 μg/m3 (2017), whereas trends were steady in Pakistan (60.34 to 58.3 μg/m3). The highest rise was noted in Nepal (87.6 to 99.7 μg/m3) until 2017. During the coronavirus disease 19 pandemic, the pre-and post-pandemic changes between 2018 and 2021 indicated the highest PM2.5 concentration in Bangladesh (76.9 μg/m3), followed by Pakistan (66.8 μg/m3), India (58.1 μg/m3), Nepal (46 μg/m3) and Sri Lanka (17.4 μg/m3). 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

Air pollution · Air quality index · Biology · Economics · Environmental health · Environmental protection · Geography · Greenhouse gas · Meteorology · Population · Socioeconomics · Sustainability · Air Quality and Health Impacts · COVID-19 impact on air quality · Energy and Environment Impacts · Environmental Science · Medicine · Ecology

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