Movement restrictions have led to blue skies in some parts of Southeast Asia, creating a respite from air pollution.
The World Health Organisation says the region’s hazardous air causes about 800,000 deaths a year, and the brighter skies underscore how dependent the region is on fossil fuels for energy and transport, as well as the health risks.
A study released today has revealed how much pollution has dropped around the region in recent weeks.
The analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) focused on nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution and, where data was available, readings of fine particulate matter of 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5), comparing the impact of lockdown periods this year with the same period last year.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency said air with a high concentration of NO2 can irritate airways in the respiratory system, aggravating respiratory diseases.
CREA’s analysis shows NO2 levels for Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Bangkok fell because of a sharp drop in transport and manufacturing. For example, from 18 March to 5 May, Malaysia recorded the most changes of the places studied, with Kuala Lumpur experiencing about a 60% reduction of NO2 levels compared with the same period last year.
For Singapore, there was little change in PM2.5 during the measurement period of 10 February to 5 May because much of the pollution comes from power plants, industrial complexes, residential and other sources in surrounding areas, said the authors, lead analyst Lauri Myllyvirta and analyst Isabella Suarez.
NO2 fell by about 30%, except around Jurong Island, where high levels of NO2 persisted.
In response to The Straits Times’ queries, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said key pollutant levels had been falling before the circuit breaker measures started. They declined further after the measures kicked in on 7 April.
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Source: The Straits Times, 8 May 2020