Nine out of the top 10 cities globally with the worst air pollution on Wednesday were in Asia with unhealthy levels of pollution forcing some schools to shut temporarily, Save the Children said.
BANGKOK, 22 January 2025 – Nine out of the top 10 cities globally with the worst air pollution on Wednesday were in Asia with unhealthy levels of pollution forcing some schools to shut temporarily, Save the Children said.
Real-time data on 22 January by Swiss group IQAir, which operates the world’s largest free real-time air quality monitoring platform, showed Dhaka, Karachi, Kathmandu, Hanoi, Bangkok and cities in China among the top 10 cities with the worst air pollution. [1]
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in an announcement on Wednesday urged people in the Southeast Asian city to wear masks, avoid outdoor activities and work from home while schools in areas where air pollution levels exceeded safe thresholds for more than three days have been advised to shut temporarily. [2]
Air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021, becoming the second leading risk factor for death after malnutrition including for children under five. More than 700,000 deaths in children under 5 years were linked to air pollution. [3]
Bangkok’s city government has said that emissions generated by cars, buses and lorries are partly to blame for the smog and poor air quality.
On Wednesday, fine particulate matter under 2.5 microns (PM 2.5) in Bangkok stood at 100, which is 20 times the World Health Organization guideline. [5]
In Nepal, respiratory issues such as asthma and pneumonia are prevelant among children. In group discussions shared in a report by Save the Children in Nepal last year, children and young adults said air pollution has a profound affect on their mental well-being and education. [6]
Air pollution causes immediate and long-term health effects in children that are often irreversible. Children breathe faster than adults and take in more air relative to their body weight, often through the mouth, which takes in more pollutants and air pollution is linked to respiratory conditions in children such as such as bronchitis and asthma.
It can also effect their learning when children miss school because of air pollution related illnesses.
Save the Children is calling on governments and decision-makers to give more support to communities to cut pollution and fossil fuel use and ensure clean air for all children.
Guillaume Rachou, Executive Director, Save the Children Thailand:
“The effects of air pollution on children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions are wide ranging and incredibly damaging. Air pollution can also be extremely disruptive and it impacts children’s ability to learn and to play with their friends.
Clean air is non-negotiable and immediate action is needed by policy makers to reduce emissions, improve air quality and protect vulnerable communities.”
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For further enquiries please contact:
Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Asia Media Manager: amy.lefevre@savethechildren.org
We have spokespeople available based in BANGKOK, Thailand.
Our media out of hours (BST) contact is media@savethechildren.org.uk / +44(0)7831 650409
Please also check our X account @Save_GlobalNews for news alerts, quotes, statements and location Vlogs.
NOTES
In 2021 WHO updated its guidance to state that people should not be exposed to a 24-hour level of PM2.5 over 15 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) or an annual average of 5 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3).
[2] https://www.facebook.com/bangkokbma
[3] https://www.stateofglobalair.org/resources/report/state-global-air-report-2024
[4] https://www.iqair.com/th-en/thailand/bangkok
[5] https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/what-are-the-who-air-quality-guidelines
.jpg-ch11029387.jpg/q075vinfbt6j80o4m2hf12kbhpuae6w3.jpg?g=top&w=392&h=261&format=webp&itok=mFXl1LbO "Image showing a child being measured.")
