Combating Air Pollution for Healthier Cities: Achieving SDG 3 and SDG 11 in South Asia’s Most Polluted Regions
Combating Air Pollution for Healthier Cities: Achieving SDG 3 and SDG 11 in South Asia’s Most Polluted Regions The alarming rise in air pollution across South Asia poses a severe threat to both human health and urban sustainability . In some of the most densely populated cities, such as Lahore, Delhi , and Dhaka , pollution levels frequently exceed World Health Organization (WHO) limits, causing adverse effects on public health , economic productivity, and quality of life. Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) , nitrogen oxides (NOx) , sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) , and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are among the pollutants contributing to smog and dangerously low air quality, leading to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and a marked reduction in life expectancy. South Asia's pollution levels are often exacerbated by rapid urbanization , industrial emissions , crop residue burning, and vehicle exhaust. These pollutants, combined...