Southeast Asian haze

Southeast Asian haze is a fire-related large-scale air pollution problem that occurs regularly. These haze events have caused adverse health and economic impact on Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. The problem flares up every dry season, in varying degrees. Transboundary haze occurs when pollution from these fires travels across boundaries, affecting neighboring countries.

Causes

The primary cause of Southeast Asian haze is the illegal burning of vegetation for palm oil, pulp and paper industries in Kalimantan and Sumatra. These fires can be caused by a process called slash-and-burn, where vegetation is cut down and burned to clear land for agriculture.

Effects

The haze pollution poses serious health and economic problems. It increases the risk of respiratory diseases and can disrupt air travel and other forms of transportation. The economic losses are due to health care costs and business disruptions.

Prevention and Mitigation

Efforts to prevent and mitigate Southeast Asian haze include law enforcement, regional cooperation, and public awareness campaigns. The ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution is an international environmental agreement to reduce haze pollution in Southeast Asia.

See also

• Air pollution in Southeast Asia
• Deforestation in Indonesia
• Environmental issues in Indonesia

References

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  Peat fire in Selangor, Malaysia on 5 June 2013
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  A peat swamp forest in Selangor, Malaysia