Only 2.7% of Southeast Asia cities breathed 'healthy' air in 2022: Report

Just a tiny fraction of regional cities in Southeast Asia recorded air quality levels in 2022 that meet international health standards, according to a new report from IQAir, a company that tracks air pollution worldwide.

According to its most recent report published on Tuesday (Mar 14), only 2.7 per cent of cities within the region - eight cities out of 296 where data is recorded - met the World Health Organisation's (WHO) guideline for PM2.5.

PM2.5 are tiny particles that can cause serious health problems. It is one of the deadliest forms of air pollution with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres.

These particles can penetrate deep inside the lungs, where they either remain for long periods or pass into the bloodstream unfiltered.

Prolonged exposure to harmful air pollution is known to weaken resistance to respiratory diseases and can heighten the risks of lung cancer and heart disease.