Urban air quality in Asia

Air pollution is a severe environmental problem in Asian cities. Due respiratory diseases caused by urban smog, more than 3000 healthy life years are lost per million city dwellers. The main sources across countries are in general increased traffic and industrial activity. On the other hand, each region has its own specific characteristics regarding energy use and economic development and therefore policies combating air pollution must be tailored to the local situation to be successful.

Air quality in Asian cities, 1990- 1999 (source: Air Pollution in Megacities of Asia project)