Comparison of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) in Urban Areas Southeast Asia in Compliance with WHO Guidelines

Abstract

Fine particulate matter with diameter less then 2.5µm, PM2.5, has become a major environmental concern in urban areas due to dense populations, industrialization, and high fuel combustion, particularly in lower-income Southeast Asian countries. Secondary sources or chemical processes also contribute to the presence of PM2.5. Due to its small size, PM2.5 can reach the lung alveoli. Exposure to PM2.5 can cause inflammation in the respiratory system and induce carcinogenesis. In response to the risks of air pollution, the World Health Organization (WHO) started seriously addressing the health impacts of air pollution in 2015. This effort was enhanced by the United Nations through the inclusion of air pollution targets in the Sustainable Development Goals. WHO guidelines in 2021 introduced new, stricter standards for regulating ambient concentrations of PM2.5 both daily and annually. Urban cities in Southeast Asia face similar challenges, including locations such as Central Jakarta and South Jakarta in Indonesia, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Rangoon in Myanmar, and Vientiane in Laos. This research aims to evaluate the concentration of PM2.5 in several countries in response to WHO guidelines through local government regulations. Continuous PM2.5 monitoring data has been collected hourly from 2019 to 2023 and is publicly accessible. The dataset will be analyzed statistically with a significance level of P<0.05 to assess the impact of local regulations. The results of this study can be useful for evaluating the overall implementation of WHO guidelines in reducing PM2.5 in urban environments.