Agri residue, waste burning main sources of air pollution in South Asia, says European agency CAMS

By Pune Media On Jan 30, 2025

Agriculture residue burning, waste burning, and industrial and transport emissions were among the main sources of air pollution in many areas of South Asia and South-East Asia in January, says Copernicus Atmospheric Service (CAMS).

“Air pollution remained high in many areas of South Asia and South-East Asia during January, notably fine particulate matter PM2.5,” said CAMS, one of six services that form Copernicus, European Union’s earth observation programme look at the planet and environment. (PM2.5 is a type of air pollutant that is 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter.)

Unhealthy levels

South Asia, particularly Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Pakistan, has been experiencing persistently poor air quality across the Himalayan foothills, affecting major urban centres such as New Delhi, Kathmandu and Islamabad throughout January 2025, CAMS said.

Big cities such as Islamabad, New Delhi and Dhaka reached unhealthy levels of PM2.5 repeatedly over the month. CAMS statement comes on the heels of New Delhi’s air quality conditions being ‘very poor’ amid a thick fog on January 29 (Wednesday).

“This was marked by high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution causing widespread haze across Pakistan, northern India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Winter stable atmospheric conditions and the topography of the region, combined with local emissions from fuel, transport and agricultural burning, contributed to a prolonged deterioration in air quality,” it said.

Extending to Himalayan foothills

Since the beginning of January, CAMS forecasts have consistently shown elevated surface concentrations of PM2.5 and other air pollutants across the Indo-Gangetic Plain with prolonged episodes of ground level values exceeding 100 µg/m³ in many areas, indicating a significant decline in air quality across the region and severe potential health impacts.

“Widespread haze was evident throughout the month with satellite imagery showing dense pollution across the Indo-Gangetic Plain and extending into the valleys of the Himalayan foothills and central Nepal,” it said.

Bertrand Bessagnet, coordinator of the Air Quality Action Area, from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), said: “Transboundary air pollution is a huge issue in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and Himalayan Foothills (IPG-HF), which can only be tackled through international cooperation.“

CAMS said agricultural crop residue and waste burning and local emissions from fuel and transport combined with the wintry stable atmospheric conditions often create these prolonged air pollution episodes with the haze transported hundreds of kilometres across borders, causing significant disruption.

S-E Asia faces same problem

Laurence Rouil, Director at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, said: “Episodes of severe air pollution like those observed across South Asia this January are not uncommon during winter. However, the intensity and persistence of such events underscore the importance of continued atmospheric monitoring.

“Understanding the contributing factors, including seasonal conditions and emissions, is crucial for assessing their impact on air quality and designing efficient mitigation measures to reduce harmful impacts on public health.”

CAMS said South-East Asia also faced significant air quality challenges in January. In Bangkok, Thailand, persistent PM2.5 pollution reached hazardous levels, prompting the closure of hundreds of schools and the introduction of free public transportation to reduce emissions and mitigate exposure risks.

“These conditions, driven by atmospheric stagnation and emissions from urban and industrial sources, highlight the regional nature of air pollution issues and their far-reaching health and societal impacts,” said CAMS.

Published on January 30, 2025

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