On April 2nd, Nepal – specifically Kathmandu – finds itself once again topping an unwelcome list: that of the world’s most polluted urban areas concerning air quality. As recently as 2023, Kathmandu claimed the dubious honor of being named the 11th most contaminated city globally, while Nepal secured eighth place among countries with the worst air quality metrics, measured through the weighted mean level of PM2.5 concentrations.
Particulates known collectively as particulate matter (PM) encompass both tiny solids and liquid droplets floating within our atmosphere. Among these, PM2.5 refers to extremely minute contaminants measuring just 2.5 micrometers across—about thirty times finer than a typical strand of human hair, whose width averages around seventy micrometers for reference. Researchers employ an Air Quality Index (AQI)—a standardized metric ranging between zero and five hundred—to gauge overall atmospheric purity. The AQI incorporates readings related to surface ozone, various forms of airborne particles such as PM10 and PM2.5, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2).
Higher numerical scores under this system correspond directly to increased pollutant presence; consequently, they also signal heightened risks to public well-being. According to recent data from early April 2024, the AQI reading recorded in Kathmandu stood at 264—a figure deemed hazardous enough according to global health guidelines to warrant cautionary measures like advising vulnerable populations against venturing outdoors altogether and urging others to limit extended periods outside. Notably, there exists notable fluctuation throughout different parts of the year, with wintertime typically witnessing peak contamination levels whereas summers and wetter months tend toward cleaner conditions.

Therefore, what exactly do these figures and ratings signify? Air pollution continues to pose one of the most significant risks to human health worldwide, leading to approximately 8.1 million fatalities per year in 2021. This makes air pollution just behind high blood pressure when ranked among causes linked to mortality across the globe. According to estimates for 2019, about 42,100 people died in Nepal because of outdoor PM2.5, ozone exposure, and indoor air contamination. When comparing statistics from 1990 with those from 2019, reductions can be observed in deaths related to household air pollution thanks largely to cleaner cooking technologies and reduced use of fossil fuels. Nonetheless, there has been an alarming rise—by 290% and 231%, respectively—in mortalities associated with ambient PM2.5 and ozone over this period. Considering such trends, it should come as little shock that casualties attributed to air quality issues vastly surpass traffic accident-related deaths, which amount to roughly 1.28 million annually on a global scale. Moreover, examining matters holistically reveals how air pollutants significantly impact overall wellness levels, affecting life expectancy and time spent in suboptimal conditions. Despite being recognized universally as a communal concern, problems tied to air quality hit harder in nations characterized by lower economic statuses.

Uncontrolled urban expansion, exhaust from vehicles, burning of fossil fuels, wildfires, operation of brick kilns, ongoing construction activities—these factors contribute significantly to the poor air quality in Kathmandu. According to data from the Nepal Health Research Council, approximately 38 percent of the air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley stems from motor vehicle emissions alone. Moreover, the geographical layout of the area tends to retain particles such as dust, smoke, and toxic gases inside the valley, exacerbating the issue. Regardless of the specific source, breathing this contaminated air poses numerous serious health risks, particularly affecting young children, older individuals, and those who have underlying medical issues. Exposure can lead to various ailments including respiratory disorders like asthma and chronic bronchitis, along with increased risk of lung cancer. Beyond these concerns, it also affects cardiac function, cognitive abilities, and shortens the lifespan of residents living in Kathmandu.

While other political and economic issues surrounding Nepal might seem like bigger issues that require all our attention, the air pollution crisis in Kathmandu valley also requires urgent action from all stakeholders involved. While pollution is seen as an environmental issue, the conditions in Nepal and Kathmandu have turned this into a public health crisis that directly impacts every Nepali who breathes this polluted air. While the government has taken some steps to mitigate this situation, including vehicular emissions monitoring and tax breaks for EVs, more needs to be done. Urgent measures are required, including stricter regulations on emissions, promotion of clean technologies to reduce industrial smokestack emissions, a ban on open waste burning, and a focus on improving the energy efficiency of buildings. These are not the only solutions to the problems we currently face regarding air pollution, but more active participation is required from all stakeholders. It is not that we have not taken any steps towards improving air quality in Kathmandu and Nepal but plans as well as laws that have floated around need to either be implemented more strictly or better regulations are required to replace old ones.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with authorization from Republica.

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