The haze may lift, but its health toll could emerge years later

This year’s haze has affected large parts of the country, and its worsening in recent days has made it increasingly difficult to ignore.

A state of emergency was declared on Sept 4 when the Air Pollutant Index (API) in Serian, Sarawak, surpassed 500. By Sept 15, unhealthy air quality had been recorded at 40 of Malaysia’s 68 monitoring stations nationwide, up from 23 the previous day.

Eventually, the skies will clear and life will return to normal, with recent rains already bringing a welcome respite to places such as the Klang Valley. But while the haze may disappear from sight, experts warn that the effects of repeatedly breathing polluted air may not be so temporary.

For Dr Anand Sachithanandan, president of Lung Cancer Network Malaysia (LCNM) and a cardiothoracic surgeon, the bigger concern is not simply what Malaysians breathe during a single haze episode, but the cumulative exposure from experiencing it year after year.

“Chronic and cumulative exposure to the ‘annual’ transboundary regional haze, like what Malaysians have been exposed to over the past decade, will certainly elevate the risk of future lung cancer,” he warned.

LCNM recently highlighted the issue at the 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer in Seoul, warning that the annual transboundary haze should be regarded as a significant long-term health hazard.

A major concern is PM2.5, microscopic particles measuring 2.5 micrometres or less that can penetrate deep into the lungs. According to Anand, repeated exposure can cause chronic inflammation, potentially contributing to respiratory disease and activating dormant cancer-causing genes in genetically susceptible individuals.

“Over the years, my colleagues and I have observed and treated increasingly more cases of lung cancer in non-smokers and younger adults,” he said.

He added that around 20-25% of lung cancer cases occur in never-smokers, who are mostly women. “I have no doubt air pollution from secondhand smoke and the haze are major risk factors.”

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Malaysia. It is also the second most-common cancer among Malaysian men and among the most deadly cancers affecting women.

In the shorter term, haze can trigger or worsen asthma and bronchitis in susceptible people, while irritating the airways and increasing phlegm and other respiratory symptoms.

Avoiding exposure not equally possible for everyone

At Nasi Lemak Pak Man in Shah Alam, co-owner Farrrah Adeeba said the eatery’s open-concept setup means haze can easily enter the premises.

“Our staff are exposed much longer than customers, sometimes the whole working day,” she told FMT Lifestyle. “If the haze gets worse, staff health becomes our main concern. We may need masks, shorter shifts or adjustments depending on the air quality.”

For now, the haze has not significantly affected the restaurant’s business. Farrrah said Malaysians have become accustomed to such conditions and tend to carry on with their routines unless the situation becomes particularly severe.

If the haze persists or reaches unhealthy levels, however, she expects the impact to extend beyond health. “People will stay indoors more, families may avoid going out, and that will eventually affect sales.”

The uncertainty also extends to what businesses should do if conditions deteriorate further. Farrrah, who runs several other F&B businesses, hopes the authorities can provide clear guidelines early, including what action businesses should take at different air-quality levels.

She also wants greater protection for workers who cannot simply remain indoors.

“Most importantly, address the haze problem at the source, not only when it becomes an emergency,” she stressed.

Anand said practical measures such as limiting outdoor activities, reducing work shifts where possible, wearing masks, staying hydrated and using air purifiers may help reduce exposure.

But he stressed that individual precautions cannot solve a problem that keeps returning. “Strong courageous leadership and political will are required to tackle this perennial manmade problem,” Anand said.

“The health of our nation and innocent rakyat must not be gambled with and placed at the mercy of which way the wind blows.”

Find out more about Lung Cancer Network Malaysia here.

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