The amount of harmful particles in the air of Kathmandu is high, the risk of respiratory and lung related diseases
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Air pollution has increased in Kathmandu Valley in the last week. The air quality index (AQAI) in the atmosphere of Kathmandu reached 169 at 9:30 pm on Saturday. Last January 27th and 28th, the air pollution in Kathmandu Valley reached 164, 159 on January 29, 160 on January 30, 163 on February 1 and 169 on February 2.
An AQI of zero to 50 is generally considered satisfactory. Above 150 is considered unhealthy for human health. Experts say that an AQI of 150 to 200 affects people with respiratory problems and the elderly.
201 to 300 AKI increases health risk in people of all ages. 301 to 500 indicates an emergency. Looking at it this way, the air of Kathmandu on Saturday evening is unhealthy for human health. According to the data of AQI last week, apart from Kathmandu, among the cities with the most air pollution are Wuhan and Shanghai in China, Yangon in Myanmar, Kolkata in India and New Delhi, Dhaka in Bangladesh.
The amount of harmful particles in the air of Kathmandu has also been observed to be high. According to the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO), the amount of PM (particulate matter) 2.5 in the air should be 5 micrograms per cubic meter or less. While the amount of PM 2.5 in Kathmandu was 78 on Saturday evening. This is 15.6 times more than the standard set by WHO. PM 2.5 is the small particles in the air with a diameter smaller than 2.5 microns.
It contains sulphates, nitrates, black carbon, ammonium and dust particles. These particles are harmful to health as they easily reach the lungs. Such particles are released by vehicles, industry, agriculture, construction, grass, firewood. AQI value is derived based on this PM 2.5.
According to Narayan Babu Dhital, associate professor of Tribhuvan University and air pollution expert, the pollution has accumulated in Kathmandu valley due to lack of rainfall. Although the rain naturally cleans the atmosphere, there is no rain in winter due to the absence of western winds in Nepal. "The accumulated pollution has not been washed away," he said, "that has increased the pollution." It goes even further. If it rains, it will decrease. According to Dhital, the air quality in Kathmandu valley is worse during pre-monsoon and winter season.
"Mostly during the winter season of December, January and February and the following three months of the pre-monsoon season, there is more pollution," Dhital said. As Kathmandu is a ball-shaped city, there is no wind. Due to this, the pollution accumulates here and increases day by day. It cannot come out.'
According to him, firewood and coal are burned in winter. The climate is dry and hot, which increases the pollution. He informed that now in the Terai of Nepal, the northern region of India and Pakistan, after the farmers bring in the crops, they set fire to the straw, chhwali etc.
Dr. Videsh Bisht, medical director of Civil Hospital and chest specialist, says that breathing in contaminated air causes long-term lung diseases. Air pollution can affect many organs. It especially directly affects the lungs. He said, "Small particles cannot be picked even by the nose. It sometimes passes through the lungs into the bloodstream. It doesn't seem to have an effect right now. Years later it causes asthma and lung cancer.'
Pollution will make it more difficult for patients who already have heart, asthma, lung and high blood pressure, he said. "This type of pollution causes eye allergies, heart problems, and irritability in people," he said.
