Protect Yourself from Kathmandu Air Pollution

Health
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Key facts

  • Air pollution is one of the greatest environmental risks to child health; in 2019, 99% of the world’s population was living in places where the WHO air quality guidelines levels were not met. WHO

  • Ambient (outdoor) air pollution is estimated to have caused 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2019. WHO

Kathmandu smog
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Kathmandu, April 30: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged people to wear masks in view of the increase in air pollution in Kathmandu. The Rising Nepal

Stating that the air quality in the federal capital was at the top of the list of cities with ‘unhealthy air’ throughout the world, the Ministry advised people to wear masks to protect themselves from the air pollution. The Rising Nepal

Ministry’s spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki urged people to not come out of home unnecessarily, not to travel and to stay away from highly polluted areas, as the air pollutants in Kathmandu were high. The Rising Nepal

“Air pollution affects the heart and blood vessels, lungs, brain, eyes, nose, ears, throat, etc and also increases the risk of asthma, cancer, among other health issues,” the Ministry spokesman Budhathoki said through a press release. The Rising Nepal

Mostly children under five years old, pregnant women, chronically ill people and the elderly account for high number of annual deaths due to air pollution in Nepal. Air pollution has reduced the average life expectancy of Nepalese by 4.1 percent. The Rising Nepal

How to reduce your exposure (practical steps from UNICEF)

  • “Check the air quality in the area where you live every day. This information can often be found in the local news, on government websites or on apps like Plume or IQAir — that you can download onto your phone for free.” UNICEF

  • “Use air quality information to help you make wise decisions for your family. When outdoor air pollution levels, especially PM2.5, are high: Try to stay indoors. If you need to go outside, try to go at times of the day when air pollution levels are lower… Help children avoid strenuous activity, including play and exercise.” UNICEF

  • “Close windows and doors during high pollution, to help keep pollutants out.” UNICEF

  • “Avoid roads with lots of traffic. If you have to walk down a busy road, carry your child if you can, so they’re higher above vehicle exhaust fumes.” UNICEF

  • “Avoid industrial areas, including close to factories and power plants, and areas where waste is being burned.” UNICEF

  • “Help your child wear a well-fitting mask: Masks should cover the nose, mouth and chin, with no gaps. KF94, KN95, or FFP2 masks are a good choice because they’re comfortable and block out harmful pollutants like PM2.5. You should get a mask size that is a suitable for your child’s age.” UNICEF

  • “Use an air purifier with HEPA filters for your home, if your budget allows, which can greatly absorb indoor pollutants.” UNICEF

Pollutants and health effects (WHO)

  • “PM is a common proxy indicator for air pollution. There is strong evidence for the negative health impacts associated with exposure to this pollutant.” WHO

  • “Ambient (outdoor) air pollution in both cities and rural areas was estimated to cause 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide per year in 2019; this mortality is due to exposure to fine particulate matter, which causes cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and cancers.” WHO

  • “WHO estimates that in 2019, some 68% of outdoor air pollution related premature deaths were due to ischaemic heart disease and stroke, 14% were due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 14% were due to acute lower respiratory infections, and 4% of deaths were due to lung cancers.” WHO

Air quality guidance (WHO)

  • “The WHO Global air quality guidelines (AQG) offer global guidance on thresholds and limits for key air pollutants that pose health risks… For example, through the achievement of interim target one (35 µg/m3), around 300 000 deaths would be saved worldwide annually.” WHO

WHO AQG chart
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Authority advice for Kathmandu residents (summary from The Rising Nepal + UNICEF)

  • “The Ministry of Health and Population has urged people to wear masks… not to come out of home unnecessarily, not to travel and to stay away from highly polluted areas.” The Rising Nepal

  • “When outdoor air pollution levels, especially PM2.5, are high: Try to stay indoors… Close windows and doors during high pollution… Help children avoid strenuous activity.” UNICEF

:speech_balloon: Join the Discussion

Which insight was most surprising to you about Kathmandu’s air pollution and health risks?

Do you use AQI apps or local monitors before going outside? Which ones do you trust and why?

Do you agree with the recommendation to wear KF94/KN95/FFP2 masks outdoors — what are the challenges in Kathmandu to following this advice?

What community or household steps would you add to protect children, pregnant women and the elderly from high-pollution days?