99% of global population breathes polluted air, experts urge government action

Air pollution now poses a severe threat to global health, with 99% of the world’s population living in areas that fail to meet World Health Organization (WHO) air quality standards, according to a new scientific analysis.

Pollutants from industrial activity, energy production, and agriculture penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, triggering cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and chronic respiratory issues. Researchers identified fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, as the primary driver of the global disease burden.

The analysis reveals that even low levels of exposure are harmful, a finding that recently prompted the WHO to tighten its global air quality guidelines.

Climate change is further aggravating the crisis by increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires and dust storms. The report also highlights indoor air pollution as a major but frequently overlooked health hazard.

Experts concluded that access to clean air is a fundamental human right. They are calling for governments to be held legally accountable for protecting this right through the implementation of clean energy policies and stricter building standards.

A recent analysis by Nature Outlook highlights a deepening environmental crisis that, while global in scope, carries acute implications for developing economies like Vietnam. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City now frequently rank among the world’s most polluted urban centers, driven by a volatile mix of high-density traffic, industrial emissions, and seasonal agricultural burning. For the Vietnamese middle class, hazardous air quality has shifted from an occasional nuisance to a permanent, high-risk fixture of urban life.

The report’s documentation of China’s aggressive and successful reduction of PM2.5 concentrations provides a critical benchmark for Southeast Asian neighbors. It raises a fundamental question for Vietnamese regulators: is the Chinese model of top-down environmental intervention replicable, and does the leadership possess the political will to prioritize stringent emissions standards over short-term macroeconomic growth targets? To date, regulatory enforcement has often taken a backseat to industrial expansion.

Furthermore, the analysis brings necessary attention to the neglected issue of indoor air quality. In Vietnam, the continued reliance on coal and wood-burning stoves in poorly ventilated spaces exacerbates respiratory risks, creating a dual burden of pollution.

Perhaps most significant is the emerging framework that positions clean air as a fundamental human right. This paradigm shift moves the onus of mitigation away from individual adaptation—such as the private purchase of masks and air filtration systems—and places it squarely on the state. For the administration in Hanoi, the pressure to implement and enforce systemic reforms is mounting. The cost of inaction is no longer just a public health concern; it is a massive economic liability that threatens long-term productivity and national healthcare stability.

Air pollution in Vietnam has become a pressing concern for the Vietnamese-American community, particularly for those with family still living in the homeland. Reports regarding the hazardous air quality in Hanoi and Saigon are frequently discussed in community hubs like Little Saigon and across social media. Many in the diaspora now send remittances specifically to help relatives purchase air purifiers or to cover medical bills for respiratory illnesses. For those navigating the complexities of moving back or retiring in Vietnam—whether through an EB-5 investment or other visa categories—environmental health has become a critical factor in their ultimate decision.