Carbon Monoxide Distribution Across Southeast Asia, August–October 2026

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October 21, 2026 (Bernama) -- This visualisation from NASA’s Eyes on the Earth shows changing carbon monoxide concentrations over Southeast Asia from Aug 14 to Oct 20, 2026.

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Forest and peat fires release carbon monoxide (CO), a colourless and odourless gas that can remain in the atmosphere for weeks and travel long distances with the wind. Scientists track it to understand how pollution moves beyond the areas where burning occurs.

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Higher concentrations of CO become more pronounced over Kalimantan, Sarawak and Sabah towards the end of August. Throughout September, the orange and red areas extend across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. By October, these areas had spread to Papua New Guinea, southern Philippines and northern Australia.

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The colours used by NASA represent three-day average concentrations at an atmospheric pressure level of 500 millibars, roughly 5.5 kilometres above sea level. Orange and red indicate higher concentrations; blue and purple indicate lower concentrations. These measurements do not directly show ground-level air quality, health risks or the amount of visible haze.

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Carbon monoxide forms when fuels burn incompletely. Alongside forest and peat fires, sources include vehicle exhaust, machinery and industrial activities.

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According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, breathing high concentrations of CO can reduce the oxygen reaching vital organs, including the heart and brain. People with heart disease can be particularly vulnerable when outdoor concentrations rise, even during brief exposure. Severe poisoning can cause dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness and death, particularly when the gas accumulates in enclosed spaces.

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This explainer can also be viewed on our Instagram page.

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