Recent research and analysis inform us that air pollution is accountable for one fifth of all post-neonatal mortality in the Central Asian area, an indication of severe environmental degradation in the region. The WHO and local health departments have sounded a note of concern as the effects of poor air quality on the young and the most vulnerable have manifested severely. “Air pollution has become a silent killer in our region,” said Dr. Alisher Kurbanov, a healthcare expert from Uzbekistan, one of the worst-hit countries in the region.

They noted that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) resulting from industries, vehicles, and the use of solid fuels for heating increase infant death rates. This pollutant reaches the alveolar region of the lungs and the bloodstream, resulting in respiratory and cardio-vascular ailments in newborns. This is compounded by factors such as high coal usage and old industrial equipment that releases high levels of toxic compounds.  ”This is bad and requires an immediate fix,” Dr. Kurbanov further stated.

Measures to mitigate air pollution have been diluted, while many of the Central Asian states have outdated legislation on environmental protection and suffer from limited financial resources to switch to cleaner technology. It is most noticeable in countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, more so among urban populations. For instance, in Almaty, air pollution is often beyond the acceptable standard, leading to respiratory ailments that are fatal to babies. According to UNEP, Central Asia has among the highest levels of pollution in the world: more than 40% of the population is exposed to dangerous airborne contaminants every day.

Source: The Times of Central Asia, UNICEF