As harmful air pollution levels persist for a week, Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population has advised citizens to exercise caution.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) recently ranked Nepal as one of the most polluted nations, the health ministry said in a statement. The MoHP warned that children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses should exercise extra caution because Kathmandu’s AQI score reached 348, which is considered “hazardous.”
The MoHP has advised avoiding highly polluted regions, wearing masks when travelling, and remaining home unless required.
“Vulnerable groups–children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with respiratory conditions–should exercise heightened caution,” said Ministry Spokesperson Prakash Budhathoki. The Ministry urges people to avoid highly polluted regions, wear masks while going outside, and stay inside unless necessary.
The AQI categorizes air quality as follows: 151-200 is “unhealthy,” 201-300 is “very unhealthy,” 51-100 is “moderate,” 101-150 is “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” 0-50 is “good,” and anything over 301 is “hazardous.” With an AQI of 348, Kathmandu is firmly in the “hazardous” category.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority blamed industrial operations, road building, and forest fires for the increase in pollution. To reduce emissions and protect public health, it has urged individuals, businesses, and construction companies to adopt proactive measures. The Authority has also instructed pertinent agencies to conduct urgent crisis mitigation measures and monitor air quality closely.
The Kathmandu Valley’s air pollution has worsened in recent weeks, becoming physically and visibly obvious.
Pollution includes fine particle pollution and dangerous substances. Smaller dust particles, such as PM2.5, enter the lungs more deeply and cause infections, asthma, and chronic respiratory disorders, while bigger dust particles are filtered out in the upper respiratory tract. This can occasionally lead to dangerously low oxygen levels, fainting, or severe asthma attacks.
In addition to respiratory problems, air pollution impairs immunity, increasing a person’s risk of contracting pneumonia and other illnesses.
Nicotine, cadmium, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and other toxic pollutants enter the bloodstream, impacting important organs like the brain, kidneys, and heart. They also raise the chance of paralysis and cancer. High pollution levels can harm a pregnant woman’s unborn child.
The valley’s pollution is trapped by cold air throughout the winter, causing a “blanket effect” that hinders adequate air circulation. Morning and evening pollution levels are quite severe. Urban activity, pollution, and seasonal fires have contributed to the decline in air quality.
According to the Ministry of Health, air pollution kills 42,000 people in Nepal each year, with 27% of those over 70 and 19% of those under five dying as a result. The data shows that Nepalis’ life expectancy has dropped by 4.1% as a result of air pollution.
This is a developing public health emergency because Nepal’s air quality is far worse than the safe air guidelines set by the WHO.
In the meantime, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has called on pertinent sectors to implement pollution-reduction strategies, such as appropriate waste management, construction dust control, and forest fire suppression.
According to a communiqué from the emergency management authority, “citizens have been encouraged to use masks, reduce outdoor activities, and follow health safety measures.” Road construction, industrial operations, forest fires, and the growing season’s heat have all been blamed by authorities for the increased pollution.
