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CNN Live Today

'Brown Cloud' Taking Huge Toll on Human Health in Asia

Aired August 13, 2002 - 11:26   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: A two-year study of air pollution in Asia, commonly known as the brown cloud, reveals that it is taking a huge toll in human health and it's also having a dramatic effect on the weather as well.
Our science correspondent Ann Kellan is here to explain some about this. We talked about this, it seems like, just a little while ago.

ANN KELLAN, CNN SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, and now this report is saying several hundred thousand of premature deaths could be related to this pollution from respiratory disease. So it's a concern.

This thick brown cloud is covering parts of Asia. It's having an impact on everything from health to agriculture. This report was put together by more than 100 scientist working with the United Nations environment program, basically issued a warning that conditions could get worse if changes aren't made.

Now we have some satellite views for you, released by NASA of this so-called brown cloud. You can actually see the dense haze.

Now imagine the impact on the weather. Some of the sun's rays are actually being blocked. This is two miles thick. So it will have an impact on crops. With less heat heating the ocean, it has impact on the amount of evaporation, which reduces cloud formation and rain.

The particulates in the air from this haze have actually changed the size of rain drops. The monsoon season has been affected. Scientist are seeing an increase of rain on the east coast of Asia, for example. And a sharp drop in rain over northwest parts Of Asia.

So the question what's causing the pollution? According to scientist forest fires, the burning of agriculture waste, and here's the big one, a dramatic increase in the burning of fossil fuels from automobiles, industries, power stations. Also millions trying to cook with these wood-burning cookers. They emit pollution in to the air as well. And the people are seeing and feeling the impact.

One writer who visited Beijing says he went out for a jog. He came back with a sore throat and his phlegm was black.

According to the report, this black cloud is an environmental hazard. If the missions are not controlled, it will get worse, because obviously, Leon, the population is growing, and more and more cars are getting on the roads, and there's little emission controls going on.

HARRIS: So this actually proves the case of those who've been waging the battle here stateside by trying to reduce emissions.

KELLAN: Exactly. Exactly. And over there, it's nothing is being done at this point. The government is taking this seriously. I think they're seeing and people are feeling the effects so much now they say we have to do something.

HARRIS: That's amazing. Ann Kellan, thank you very much.

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