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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    Respiralab Research Center, Guayaquil 0901-952, Ecuador)

  • Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda

    (Allergy and Pulmonology, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón 0901-952, Ecuador
    Respiralab Research Center, Guayaquil 0901-952, Ecuador)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Saima Abdul Jabbar & Laila Tul Qadar & Sulaman Ghafoor & Lubna Rasheed & Zouina Sarfraz & Azza Sarfraz & Muzna Sarfraz & Miguel Felix & Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda, 2022. "Air Quality, Pollution and Sustainability Trends in South Asia: A Population-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:7534-:d:843214
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Faiqa Falak & Farsom Ayub & Zunaira Zahid & Zouina Sarfraz & Azza Sarfraz & Karla Robles-Velasco & Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda, 2022. "Indicators of Climate Change, Geospatial and Analytical Mapping of Trends in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh: An Observational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Song, Chenchen & Wu, Zhendong & Dong, Rebecca Kechen & Dinçer, Hasan, 2023. "Greening south Asia: Investing in sustainability and innovation to preserve natural resources and combat environmental pollution," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    3. Saman Janaranjana Herath Bandara & Nisanshani Thilakarathne, 2025. "Economic and Public Health Impacts of Transportation-Driven Air Pollution in South Asia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-23, March.
    4. Muhammad Bilal & Gerrit de Leeuw & Janet E. Nichol & Max P. Bleiweiss & Leiku Yang & Huabin Chai & Alaa Mhawish & Md. Arfan Ali, 2023. "Comment on Abdul Jabbar et al. Air Quality, Pollution and Sustainability Trends in South Asia: A Population-Based Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19 , 7534," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-3, March.
    5. Munum Hassan & Kinza Saif & Muhammad Saad Ijaz & Zouina Sarfraz & Azza Sarfraz & Karla Robles-Velasco & Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda, 2023. "Mean Temperature and Drought Projections in Central Africa: A Population-Based Study of Food Insecurity, Childhood Malnutrition and Mortality, and Infectious Disease," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-21, February.
    6. Tariq Mahmood & Shahid Hassan & Abdullah Sheikh & Abdul Raheem & Ahad Hameed, 2022. "Experimental Investigations of Diesel Engine Performance Using Blends of Distilled Waste Cooking Oil Biodiesel with Diesel and Economic Feasibility of the Distilled Biodiesel," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-19, December.
    7. Mateusz Ciski & Krzysztof Rząsa, 2025. "The Environmental Dimension of Sustainable Development in Relation to the Transition from Brown to Green Energy—A Case Study of Poland from 2005 to 2023," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-28, June.

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