Bangkok: A recent report has revealed a significant yet temporary improvement in air quality across South Asia in 2022, which contributed to a decline in global pollution levels. Despite this positive development, the region continues to experience the worst air pollution globally, leading to a reduction in life expectancy by more than 3.5 years on average, according to the annual Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) from the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute (EPIC).

For two decades, South Asia has seen annual increases in air pollution. However, 2022 marked a surprising 18% decrease in particulate matter (PM2.5) across the region, except in Sri Lanka. Favorable meteorological conditions, including above-average rainfall, are believed to have contributed to this decline, though the report cautions that it is too early to determine the impact of policy changes. The air quality in South Asia remains eight times more polluted than the World Health Organization (WHO) deems safe.

While the decrease in South Asia led to a 9% global drop in air pollution, other regions like the Middle East and North Africa saw increases. The report highlights a lack of air quality data in many countries, which hampers effective policymaking and implementation. This lack of data perpetuates a cycle of neglect, particularly in highly polluted regions where air quality issues receive insufficient attention.

China's air quality improvements serve as a bright spot in the report. Since 2013, China has reduced air pollution by 41%, adding an average of two years to life expectancy. However, air pollution in China remains over five times higher than WHO guidelines, and the benefits of pollution reduction are not evenly distributed across the country.

Bangladesh, identified as the world's most polluted country, sees its residents losing an average of 4.8 years of life expectancy due to air pollution. The Gazipur and Narsingdi districts near Dhaka are among the worst affected, with life expectancy reduced by more than six years. Although Bangladesh experienced a 22% reduction in particulate pollution in 2022, the report stresses that this trend must continue for sustained health benefits.

The report underscores the need for continued efforts and data-driven policies to address air pollution, which remains a severe public health threat, particularly in South Asia and other highly polluted regions.