Regional and Urban Air Quality in Mainland Southeast Asia Countries

Mainland Southeast Asia (SEA) countries are facing air pollution problems which cause adverse effects on human health and the national economic development. The fine particulate matter or PM2.5, the most significant air pollutant in the region, has been observed at high levels, especially in large urban areas, with strong seasonal variations. Key man-made sources of air pollution in the region include traffic, industry, power plant, and residential combustion, as well as biomass open burning associated with forest and scrubland fires, field burning of crop residue, and solid waste open burning. Emissions from the mainland SEA cause air pollution not only in the region but also the transboundary pollution to other territories. The region also receives air pollution from emission sources from outside. This chapter provides an overview on the air pollution in five countries in mainland SEA and illustrated with case studies of Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar. For each case study, the country profile, main emission sources, ambient air pollution levels and trend, along with the country policies related to air quality management and climate change are highlighted.