An average resident of Bahrain would gain 1.3 years of life if the country meets the World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines, according to a study.
This has been stated in the latest Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) released by the Chicago University’s Energy Policy Institute this week that covers different regions globally based on 2021 data.
South Asia is home to the world’s four most polluted countries and nearly a quarter of the global population, according to the report. In Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, the AQLI data reveals that residents are expected to lose about five years of life expectancy on average if the current levels of pollution persist. A total of 252 countries are covered in the report with Bangladesh ranked first followed by India and Nepal.
Qatar is the most affected among GCC countries, with a ranking of 14; followed by Saudi Arabia at 24, Bahrain at 52, Kuwait at 57 and the UAE at 62. Oman is the least affected at 108, the study said.
A further breakdown of the report states that Northern Governorate in Bahrain is the most polluted, followed by Southern, Capital and Muharraq.
The potential gains in life expectancy in years for the above segment will be 1.4 years for Northern, 1.3 years for Southern, 1.1 years for Capital and one year for Muharraq ... provided Bahrain reduces particulate pollution to meet the WHO guideline.
Particulate pollution remains the world’s greatest external risk to human health, with the impact on life expectancy comparable to that of smoking, more than three times that of alcohol use and unsafe water, and more than five times that of transport injuries like car crashes.
PM2.5, fine particulate matter of 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, is the most dangerous pollutant because it can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the blood system, causing cardiovascular and respiratory disease and cancers.
The current WHO guidelines state that annual average concentrations of PM2.5 should not exceed 5µg/m3, while 24-hour average exposures should not exceed 15µg/m3 more than three to four days per year.
Reducing PM2.5 to 5µg/m3 could raise average life expectancy by 2.3 years, or a combined 17.8 billion life years, the report said.
Bahrain’s average PM2.5 was 17.9ug/m3 in the latest report released last month, which is three times more than the levels recommended by the WHO.
The AQLI measures potential gains in life expectancy by lowering PM2.5 concentrations to meet either WHO or national guidelines for air quality standards.
Particulate
The Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) research analyst Sabeka Ismaeel said the WHO guidelines refer to the amount of particulate matter (PM), which are microscopic solid/liquid particles suspended in the air. This includes organic matter such as dust, as well as inorganic matter resulting from daily activities such as manufacturing and transportation.
“There have been significant changes in the air quality with our recent emergence from the pandemic, locally and globally, wherein increased consumption led to more emissions all over the globe,” she told the GDN.
“This was further exacerbated with the lifestyle changes that arose due to the pandemic, as well as the technological advancements.
“These changes have brought both increased stress and anxiety, as well as key shifts in physical and social aspects of life, all of which have implications on people’s well-being.”
Ms Ismaeel said it’s vital to promote a sustainable lifestyle that prioritises prevention over mitigation, “considering the altered circumstances we are currently experiencing”.
India is responsible for about 59pc of the world’s increase in pollution since 2013, the report said. In the densely populated New Delhi, the world’s most polluted mega-city, the average life span is down by more than 10 years.
China, meanwhile, has worked to reduce pollution by 42.3pc between 2013 and 2021, the report added, highlighting the need for governments to generate air quality data to help bridge global inequalities in accessing tools to combat pollution.
“This report continues AQLI’s efforts to raise awareness about fine particulate air pollution that is causing the average person on the planet to lose 2.3 years of life expectancy,” stated report authors Michael Greenstone and Christa Hasenkopf from the Chicago University.
The National Space Science Agency last month said it is able to monitor air quality in Bahrain using satellite data and images, which provides information to the authorities concerned and supports their efforts to enhance environmental sustainability, in light of population growth and increase in the number of cars and energy consumption.
Five MPs had submitted a proposal in February calling for compulsory air quality monitoring devices in government buildings, factories, worksites and outdoor facilities. They said it could be even expanded to measure pollution in malls, shops and residential compounds.
During a Cabinet session last year, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, ordered the monitoring of Bahrain’s air quality to ensure compliance with safe international pollution standards.
sandy@gdnmedia.bh
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