The study showed that of the urban cities across the Philippines, Metro Manila has the largest "health burden" from air pollution.
It adds, that poor air quality in the capital was still prevalent despite the phaseout of leaded gasoline. The study says 18 million people still live in cities with unhealthy levels of airborne particulate matter.
Poor air quality accounts to 12 percent of all deaths in the capital, the highest in any urban area in the country, the study says.
Rahul Raturi, sector manager of the WB's Rural Development, Natural Resources and Environmental Sector, said that at least 20 percent of reported cases of respiratory diseases were caused by air pollution, water pollution, poor sanitation and hygiene.
"The cost of treatment and lost income from these environmental diseases is roughly estimated at $303 million per year," he said in his address at the launch.
He said that the poor were in exposed to environmental dangers compared to upper class sector of the society. Low-income groups had lower access to basic sanitation and safe water supply. They were also exposed to water and air pollution.
