Case study on the air pollution problems in Southeast Asia
Air pollution in Indonesia is caused by many different reasons:
1. Particulate matter:
Vehicles, factories and industrial facilities emit a dangerous component of the pollution which is fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5. It is less than 2.5 microns in diameter, about 30 times smaller than the human hair and includes soot, dust, aerosols, metals and sulphates. It is suspected that PM2.5 particles penetrate buildings and people’s airways more quickly and deeply than previously known.
2. Combustion gases:
In developing countries like Indonesia have imperfect kitchen and stove designs. It is therefore imperative that cooking (grilling) is done in open space or well-ventilated areas. The use of household coal leads to high concentration of fluorine and arsenic and so does wood smoke; it consists of many unhealthy pollutants The burning of trash in Indonesia which can smelt around residential areas almost daily is a highly polluting activity; especially if plastic materials are burnt it will release lethal carcinogens.
3. Tobacco smoke:
The particle and vapour phases are complex mixtures of several thousand chemicals, including known carcinogens. In large modern urban areas in Indonesia smoking rates are increasing and therefore pose a greater risk. Researchers estimated that, for the first times, smoking killed as many people in the developing world as in industrialized countries. It is concluded that in 2000, half of the 4.8 million smoking deaths occurred in poor countries. The exposure of children to indoor tobacco smoke is definitely still a major problem.
4. Radon, Asbestos, Lead:
- Old houses might still contain building materials containing pollutants like Radon, Asbestos and Lead. Lead is still found in outdoor air.
- Forests burning
- Farmer burn forests to clear land and fertile land.
What are the general health and environmental effects associated with the air pollution problems?
General Health effects
Air pollution is a significant risk factor for multiple health conditions including respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer, according to the WHO. The health effects caused by air pollution may include difficulty in breathing, wheezing, coughing, asthma and aggravation of existing respiratory and cardiac conditions. Air pollution principally affects the body's respiratory system and the cardiovascular system. Individual reactions to air pollutants depend on the type of pollutant a person is exposed to, the degree of exposure, the individual's health status and genetics. Both indoor and outdoor air pollution has caused approximately 3.3 million deaths worldwide. Air pollution is also emerging as a risk factor for stroke, particularly in developing countries where pollutant levels are highest. A 2007 review of evidence found ambient air pollution exposure is a risk factor correlating with increased total mortality from cardiovascular events. A study from around the years of 1999 to 2000, by the University of Washington, showed those patients near and around particulates air pollution had an increased risk of pulmonary exacerbations and decrease in lung function. Additionally, air pollution has been associated with increased hospitalizations and mortality from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Environmental effects
The environmental problems caused by air pollution have serious ramifications. Acid rain, or low-pH precipitation in the atmosphere, is caused by emissions of sulfur and nitrous oxides from motor vehicles and industry. Acid rain expedites the deterioration of manmade structures and quickly wears away rock formations and other natural landmarks. Additionally, acid rain causes fish kills and other detrimental effects to aquatic environments by gradually lowering the pH of freshwater and estuarine environments. Due to the nature of global weather patterns, pollution released into the air in one country is often transported across boundaries and negatively impacts other countries. Increasing output of pollutants caused by human activities has led to higher global atmospheric concentrations of methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, HFCs (hydro fluorocarbons) and PFCs (per fluorocarbons). These are all gases that contribute to global warming.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution#Health_effects
What measures do the region take to tackle the problem?
Indonesia
Indonesia, in the recent haze of June 2013, used weather-changing technology to create artificial rain and extinguish raging fires. Such technology included cloud seeding and water bombing in an attempt to put out the forest fires, which had caused the haze. In June, the Indonesian government deployed seven military aircraft to carry out the water bombings and cloud seeding, and over 3000 marines, air force officers and soldiers to fight the raging forest fires.
Their Agriculture Minister had also launched an investigation to find the firms, which were responsible for the air pollution, releasing their names when proven guilty not to mention, dealing with them legally.
China
China, in the recent years, has been faced with worsening air pollution. Such air pollution has set many of its larger cities plagued under a heavy haze. In its recent months, pollution in the air has taken turn for the worse, believed to be their record levels, it is reported that some of Beijing's most well-known buildings have become barely visible.
As such, last January, the state media announced one of its main measures, a target to reduce emissions from heavily polluting industries by 30% by the end of 2017.
China had also rolled out 10 measures to tackle the air pollution in their nation. Among the ten outlined by the State Council includes:
Emergency response plans to be carried out by local governments during periods of bad pollution which include restricting traffic and limiting emissions from industry.
"Strict controls" for heavily polluting industries that are looking to expand.
Ensuring that construction projects pass environmental evaluations before they are given permission to go ahead.
Late 2013, Beijing's mayor Wang Anshun also announced an "all-out effort" to tackle air pollution. He said that coal use would be cut by 2.6 million tones and that measures will be taken to stop coal burning in the city and the surrounding areas.
China's central government is also taking the problem seriously and in September the State Council, China's cabinet announced a plan to bring improvements in air quality by 2017. Under the plan many polluting factories would be closed and China's massive reliance on fossil fuels would be reduced.
Case study on air pollution in Singapore
How is does Singapore monitor its ambient air quality?
Integrated urban and industrial planning, as well as development control, enabled the government to put in place preventive air pollution control measures. Legislation, strict enforcement programmes and air quality monitoring have helped to ensure that air quality remains good despite our dense urban development and large industrial base.
The NEA’s Source Emission Test Scheme for industries requires industries to conduct source emission tests on their own or engage accredited consultants to do so on their behalf. This allows industries to monitor their air emissions regularly and to take measures to ensure compliance with the prescribed air emission standards.
NEA regulates the type and quality of fuel that can be used in Singapore, and also sets minimum exhaust emission standards for all vehicles. NEA takes stringent enforcement actions against smoky vehicles on the roads. Regulation 19 of the Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations stipulates that it is an offence for any person to use or permit the use of any smoky vehicle on the road.
http://app2.nea.gov.sg/anti-pollution-radiation-protection/air-pollution-control/air-quality-and-targets
How does the general public react to the adverse effects of pollutants in the air that we breathe?
The public was able to protect themselves by wearing masks out or even not going out and staying home during the period of haze. Singaporeans know the ways to prevent themselves from the consequences of pollutants in the air. Also, the government is able to provide Singaporeans with the necessary healthcare services that they need. The adverse effects of pollutants in the air may vary from poor air quality to severe health issues. Everyone should play a part in protecting themselves and the people around them from these bad effects.
What are the measures that the government and the public are taking to address the problem?
The government have stepped up enforcement against vehicles with idling engines and have taken enforcement action against 2,467 errant drivers in 2012, and against another 2,631 errant drivers from January to October last year.
They have also worked with schools, to distribute educational posters and pamphlets to educate and remind parents, as well as private school transport operators, to switch off their vehicle engines while waiting to pick up the school children.
The public take public transport more often and some households don’t use stoves anymore, instead they use electric cooker. This way, less gas will be emitted.
How does it affect Singapore?
Pollution levels soared in Singapore, as smoky haze from forest fires in Indonesia shrouded the city state. The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hit 401, the highest in Singapore's history. A PSI reading above 300 is defined as "hazardous", while Singapore government guidelines say a PSI reading of above 400 sustained for 24 hours "may be life-threatening to ill and elderly persons.
"Healthy people may also experience adverse symptoms that affect normal activity," the government says. The PSI dropped down to 143 later although this is still classed as "unhealthy".
Singaporeans had to close their windows in HDB flats to prevent the haze from entering the households. Also, they had to wear masks when going outdoor from inhaling the polluted air.
How can you yourself as an individual help to prevent air pollution?
Conserve energy by remembering to turn off lights, computers, and electric appliances when not in use and use energy efficient light bulbs and appliances.
Take public transport instead of asking parents to fetch.
Combine errands for fewer trips.
Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when full.
Avoid using air-con when at home.
Don’t play with fire unnecessarily.
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