BANGKOK, 22 January 2025 – Nine of the top ten cities with the worst air pollution were in Asia on Wednesday with unhealthy levels of pollution forcing some schools to shut temporarily, Save the Children said.  

Live readings by Swiss group IQAir showed Dhaka, Karachi, Delhi, Kathmandu, Hanoi, Bangkok and three cities in China among the top ten  the city on Wednesday as one of the top ten cities in the world with the worst air pollution. 

The Bangkok Metropolitan administration in an announcement on Wednesday urged people in the city to wear masks, avoid outdoor activities and work from home while schools in areas where air pollution levels exceeded safe thresholds for more than three days have been advised to shut temporarily.

Air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021, becoming the second leading risk factor for death, including for children under five years. That year, more than 700,000 deaths in children under 5 years were linked to air pollution; this represents 15% of all global deaths in children under five.

Bangkok’s city government has said that emissions generated by cars, buses and lorries are partly to blame for the smog and poor airquality.  

On Wednesday, fine particulate dust or PM 2.5 levels in the city stood at 107 micrograms per cubic meter. In 2021, the World Health Organization updated its guidance to say that people should not be exposed to a 24-hour level of PM2.5 over 15 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3).

Air pollution can cause immediate and long-term health effects in children that are irreversible. Children breathe faster than adults and take in more air relative to their body weight, often through the mouth, which takes in more pollutants and air pollution is linked to respiratory conditions in children such as such as bronchitis and asthma.  

It can also effect their learning as when children miss school because of air pollution related illnesses, their learning potential is also hampered. 

Save the Children is calling on governments and decision-makers to give more support to communities to cut pollution and fossil fuel use and ensure clean air for all children.  

Guillaume Rachou, Executive Director, Save the Children Thailand: 

“The effects of air pollution on children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions are wide ranging and incredibly damaging. Air pollution can also be extremely disruptive and it impacts children’s ability to learn and to play with their friends. 

Clean air is non-negotiable and immediate action is needed by policy makers to reduce emissions, improve air quality and protect vulnerable communities.”