Climate & Environment - The Kathmandu Post Air pollution is more dangerous than smoking | Nepali Times Department of Environment on January 5 had released a statement mentioning about the change in weather condition in the country and increasing level of pollution in Kathmandu valley. Nearly two weeks after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, confusing messages from government officials have frayed locals trust. In Nepal and Kathmandu the annual premature death due to air pollution hit 37,399 and 9943 respectively, according to a Republica news report published on 23 November 2019. The size of dust particles are larger compared to biomass burning or vehicular emissions. The polluter pays' principle was introduced in 1972 in order to address this issue. Rather than benefits, morning walks could have serious health impacts, Sunil said. editors@nepalitimes.com | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005602 News article on environment pollutation in nepal to be published in Your email address will not be published. Arjun Khadka, 65, who owns a grocery store in Kathmandu, said he experienced itching and burning sensations in the eyes and nose which could be due to pollution. Strong laws related to environment should be made and implemented. Nepal, with a population of 30 million people, is located in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the world's biggest polluters. The index stood at 214 as per DoE's data. Double whammy: air pollution and Covid-19, Photo: MONIKA DEUPALA n the past eight months of this, ir quality across Nepal has been deteriorating over the years., The first step in reducing air pollution is to let. Take your pick, but remember the best thing is to reduce the source of pollution. Similarly, the hotel business (khaja ghar) of Ram Karki has also slowed down majorly due to road dust emission. Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after air pollution climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country. All living being birds, animals, insects, plants and even human beings are victims of pollution. Air Pollution in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley - The Borgen Project The derailment of a train carrying toxic chemicals upended a region of Ohio where generations of families could afford to buy acres of land, raise livestock and plant gardens. Fewer, though still substantial minorities ranging between 40% and 45% . newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal Posted by July 3, 2022 morenci area schools staff on newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Of six environmental problems facing the U.S., Americans remain most worried about those that affect water quality. But public outrage does not seem to translate into action to clean up the air. Kathmandus AQI has remained at the Maroon Hazardous level for two days in a row. Nepal Air Quality Index (AQI) and Air Pollution information | IQAir Air pollution on the Nepali side is mostly locally generated.. Download the latest essay from our Megamorphosis series now. and a White House pledge to lend more support were met with skepticism in the community. Nepal isn't short of water, thanks to the monsoon rains and the rivers that bring meltwater down from the Himalayan glaciers and snowpack. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. 30 Mar 2021. Ever since the lockdown started in Nepal, there has been a . Air qualities in cities like Birgunj, Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa get worse due to local air pollution, supported by stagnation of air in this season where there is an inversion of temperature, a reversal of the normal behaviour of temperature in the troposphere, said Poudel, the meteorologist. It may bring various adverse impact to the environment. "Trans-boundary pollution can affect our air quality too as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, connected to Nepal, are also polluted. But this winter, the haze barely let us see through it. In terms of air pollution, the 2016 Environmental Performance Index (EPI)ranked Nepal 177thout of 180 countries. The environment of the industrial areas should be properly managed by the industries and concerned agencies. Air pollution is cutting more than 2 years from billions of - CNN Afforestation should begin and deforestation should come to an end. The Geyh-Bouwer Trainee Practice Award recognizes students whose application of science demonstrates the betterment of the environment and/or public health. The study sounds the alarm that the growing global problem, which scientists are only beginning to understand, requires urgent and immediate action. EPA to award $250 million in IRA funds to reduce climate pollution Air pollution is also the main environmental risk factor for non-communicable diseases like cancers and lung diseases, concludes a recent report by the NCD Alliance and the Forum of International Respiratory Scientists: The challenge is great, but the cure is straight-forward it must be met by national, regional, local and personal responses. These two are just representative examples of millions of people who are directly or indirectly affected by dust, a burning issue of the twenty first century. Similarly, one-fifth of the total diesel is used in Kathmandu. The same report ranked Nepal the eighth most polluted country in the world. The environment has been in a better condition. ? 2426/077-78 ? This index is coloured red. Ironically, World No Tobacco Day falls on 31 May, just four days ahead of Environment Day. The leaves of plants are covered in dust particles which limits the photosynthesis rate and affects the plants growth and natural beauty. Air Pollution and Your Health - National Institute of Environmental The level between 401 and 500 is very hazardous. Anupamaas Nidhi Shahs off-screen glam looks, Top 10 T'wood actresses of the 80s and 90s, Shraddha Das rocks the thigh-high slit trend, Live: PM addresses post-budget webinar on Green Growth, Oscars to have Crisis Team after Will Smith slapgate, Adani's older brother plays key role at embattled dynasty, Terms of Use and Grievance Redressal Policy. FEATURED FUNDS. On hand was Marcia Bernicat of the US Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs. In recent years, cities in the Tarai have become infamous for the poor quality of their air, mostly because of the heavy presence of industries, dust from construction, and also trans-boundary pollution. AQI level between 0-50 is Good, 51-100 is Moderate, 101-150 is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, 151-200 is Unhealthy, 201-300 is Very Unhealthy, and anything above 301 is regarded as Hazardous. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service, : Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after. Find out about our mission, and our team, here. Kathmandu valley requires half of the total gasoline consumed in Nepal. Submissions Plastic pollution: Effects on environment - The Himalayan Times In countries such as China, India and Nepal, air quality may have slightly improved in recent years, but the health risks due to PM2.5 haven't changed much, he said. The Kathmandu Post : Find the latest breaking news from Nepal, opinion & analysis on Nepali politics, business, culture & arts, sports, movies, food & travel, books, education, auto & more at kathmandupost.com In this level of air quality, everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Plastic pollution on course to double by 2030 | UN News With neighbouring India and China committed to manufacturing only electric automobiles by 2030, Nepal will be forced to go electric. Ocean pollution poses a clear and present danger to human health and well-being, according to a new study from an international group of researchers. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Human error eyed as cause of Yeti Airlines crash that killed 72 people, 2 Americans, 2 permanent US residents among 72 dead in Nepal plane crash, Father of flight attendant urged her not to work before Nepal crash left 70 dead, Nepal to send data recorder from crash to France. Dust from construction works, exhaust from old, poorly maintained vehicles and smoke from coal-burning brick kilns blend in a murky haze that hangs over the ancient city of four million people, raising the risk of cancer, stroke, asthma and high blood pressure, experts say. But public health specialists discount their efficacy and stress that the best solution is to reduce air pollution at sources. Average life expectancy is reduced by at least four years in the worst-affected areas like Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan and other parts of the Tarai. Even before Covid-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned that poor, in northern India and the Tarai was already the. From his home in Kathmandus Chabahil, Basudevs walks take him around Pashupatinath Temple and the Guheshwori area. With a staggering 42 percent of the population living below the poverty line and only 27 percent with improved access to sanitation, there are quite a number of issues facing Nepal. There are dozens of varieties of masks available in the market, along with air purifiers that cost more than Rs130,000. This is a grave threat to public health, the government should have declared an emergency and taken urgent measures to curb pollution, says environmental expert Bhushan Tuladhar. Health alert must be imposed on everyone as everybody is prone to experience more serious health effects. Air pollution frequently causes osteoporosis, heart attacks, dementia and kidney diseases. AQI is a composite measurement of the concentration of particulate matter below 10 and 2.5 microns, carbon monoxide, sulphur and nitrogen dioxide and ground ozone. As women play a significant role in the management and use of energy sources for household cooking, they are disproportionately affected by indoor air pollution [7]. International breweries are polluting Nepalese rivers Ever since the lockdown started in Nepal, there has been a little more positive change in the environment since the vehicles are barely on the road and people dont travel much. We can classify pollution in many categories such as soil pollution, air pollution, water pollution, and noise . This site is using cookies under cookie policy . Because Nepals national government and municipalities have done little to reduce risk, citizens have adopted their own methods of personal protection: wearing masks, installing air purifiers at home and office, cancelling morning walks, and monitoring air pollution levels on apps before allowing children to play outside. ONTARIO, Calif., Sept. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kickstarting the autonomous bus revolution in the US, the city of Houston is set to receive the first Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Buy America-compliant mid-size autonomous bus in the US. Site By: Hiti Design, The first step in reducing air pollution is to let, Nepali scientist returns to pinpoint hazards of dirty air, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IudF3qNM-xE&feature=youtu.benobha Gurung could have had a distinguished international career in, Sonia Awale s winter sets in and air quality deteriorates,. Environmental news, a monthly report on Global - Warm Heart Worldwide The government should ban the use of old vehicles. Apex court orders acceptance of writ against PM, dubbed one of the most polluted cities in the world, air pollution levels reaching nearly 10 times healthy limits, 22 of the worlds most polluted cities in 2018, ranked Nepal the eighth most polluted country, PM2.5 level for Kathmandu in 2018 was 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3, deteriorating quality of air in Kathmandu Valley, Overextraction and shrinking open spaces cause groundwater depletion in Kathmandu Valley, As season of forest fires starts, authorities alert public to risks, History and politics of Nepals school education, Insurgency-era victims of sexual crimes still unheard. Air pollution is a chronic problem in the rapidly growing capital city of Kathmandu and an additional headache for the government, which is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Nepal, with a population of 30 million people, is located in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the world's biggest polluters. A road-widening spree, earthquake destruction and delays in fixing streets . Mass media have been a critical avenue to reach, communicate, and influence people on the alarming intensity and frequency of environmental problems [1, 2, 3].The world is facing a multitude of environmental problems, ranging from biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, spread of the vector-borne diseases and climate change at varying spatial and temporal scales [4]. The country of 30 . Arjun Khadka, 65, who owns a grocery store in Kathmandu, said he experienced itching and burning sensations in the eyes and nose which could be due to pollution. These are the key points that needs to be followed in order to bring a positive change in the environment. The Threat of Ambient Air Pollution in Kathmandu, Nepal The analysis, based on more than 100 recent peer-reviewed studies, detected over 120 unique PFAS compounds in these animals . Phoenix Motorcars wins grant with Houston Metro and EasyMile for The Biden Administration will make $250 million in grants available to develop strategies to cut climate pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday. Air pollution shortens lives more than any other external cause. (left). Motorcycles and passenger vehicles such as jeeps, cars and vans accounted for 92 percent of total registered vehicles in Bagmati by the end of 2014-15. Additionally, problems like littering and excessive carbon emissions are causing problems for both people and the environment. Implication of Air Pollution on Health Effects in Nepal: Lessons from This can significantly affect the local environment and the health of people living nearby. Thereportsays that 100% of the population in India lives in areas where PM2.5 levels are higher than the WHO Air Quality Guideline. Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights. Or, download a free sample copy of a past issue of Resurgence & Ecologist. I would be very thankful to you if you publish my article on your esteemed daily.Hope the government will take immediate action on this matter. Publisher: Kunda Dixit, Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu The average global citizen loses 2.2 years of life with today's levels of air pollution and, if nothing changes, that adds up to . Environmental Health issues are a not major risk factors for the Global Burden of Diseases. People must stay safe indoors and not come out except for emergencies, the health ministry said. Rapid and haphazard urbanisation in the last few decades has resulted in the degradation of the environment, predominantly in terms of air pollution. The 24-hour average level of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can reach deep . Scavengers help keep world clean, but left to plead for CO Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Murdaugh son collapsed outside court after sitting stone-faced through dad's 6-week murder trial: source, Tom Sandoval breaks silence on Ariana Madix split amid cheating claims, Kelly Osbourne posts first photo of baby son as he hangs out with uncle Jack, Greys Anatomy alum Isaiah Washington retiring from acting: The haters have won, Max Scherzer's first look at the new pitch clock, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce. It has a negative impact on various environmental aspects which directly or indirectly affect the quality of human health. I dont remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past, Khadka told Reuters. 12 February 2021. There are cloth masks and surgical ones, some are disposable but many use replaceable filters. This also adds to the risk of COVID-19, said Sher Bahadur Pun, a doctor at a tropical and infectious disease hospital in the capital. There is a proportionately very high consumption of gasoline and diesel in the valley. The World Health Organization (WHO) reportsfine particulate matter of up to 140 g m-3 - which is aroundtentimes higher than the WHO limit. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. 2022: Emergency mode for the environment. D espite public awareness and relentless media coverage, Kathmandu's air quality has worsened in the past two years. In terms of air pollution, the 2016 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranked Nepal 177th out of 180 countries. The website is owned and published by The Resurgence Trust, an educational charity. By Leah Douglas. "I don't remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past," Khadka told Reuters. 'Enough pollution' in low-income NJ area with 1 power plant The visibility in Kathmandu valley has degraded to a significant level. There will be very less production of crops and the economy of the whole country can go downhill by this negative decision made by the government. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause many of the health conditions associated with increased vulnerability to Covid-19, such as diabetes and chronic heart and lung diseases, said theState of Global Air 2020released last October. Water In Crisis - Spotlight Nepal - The Water Project When a vehicle passes by, dust is released into the air and pollutes the clothes that are kept for selling and the customers do not like the polluted ones. In Press, Journal Pre-proof, Available online 25 February 2023. All news about Environment pollution | Euronews I have started wearing a mask whenever Im outdoors.. The gendered impacts of indoor air pollution in Nepal's - ICIMOD Similarly, a University of Massachusetts study found that the good old surgical mask blocked 60% of 0.03 micron particles, and over 90% of 1 micron and 2.5 micron particles. Use of pesticides and fertilizers must be controlled. In recent time it has been seen that the pollution is increasing day by day. Krishna Kumar, a local business person at Kirtipur explained: Many businesses have gone down due to high amount of road dust. Thanks for contacting us. Haze engulfs Kathmandu valley as the air pollution increases to unhealthy levels, on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. , : Which country has the most number of lakes. How to clean up Kathmandus air, Anil Chitrakar, Poisoning the air we breathe, Sonia Awale. According to AQ AirVisual, a Swiss group that collects air-quality data from around the world, the annual average PM2.5 level for Kathmandu in 2018 was 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3), an increase from 45.9 g/m3 in 2017. The latest edition of Resurgence & Ecologist is out now, and available to buy. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports fine particulate matter of up to 140 g m-3 - which is around ten times higher than the WHO limit. editors@nepalitimes.com | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005602 Subsequent increase in number of vehicles is one of the main culprits of air pollution [ 33, 34 ]. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. Donate to The Ecologist and support high impact environmental journalism and analysis. In Nepal and Kathmandu the annual premature death due to air pollution hit37,399 and 9943 respectively,according to aRepublica news report published on 23 November 2019. Krishna Kumar, a local business person at Kirtipur explained:Manybusinesseshavegone down due to high amount of road dust. Motorcycles and passenger vehicles such as jeeps, cars and vansaccountedfor 92 percentof total registered vehicles in Bagmatiby the end of 2014-15. The average exposure for the officers was 51.2 g/m 3, with an hourly maximum of more than 500 g/m 3. Nepal's schools close as air pollution hits alarming levels Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause many of the health conditions associated with increased vulnerability to Covid-19, such as diabetes and chronic heart and lung diseases, said the. According to the World Air Quality Report, Kathmandu is the seventh most polluted capital city in the world, based on its average yearly PM2.5 level. Air pollution is slashing years off the lives of billions, report finds Phil Murphy but which has yet to take full effect should prevent the . hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters. Poor air quality in Kathmandu and inside rural homes due to smoky kitchen fires kill far more people across South Asia than SARS-CoV-2. put Kathmandus pollution level at 487 the highest among cities in the region. As the new year gets underway, the world continues to grapple with a number of familiar challenges - the continued COVID-19 pandemic, resurgent wildfires, enduring crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. PM2.5, or Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns thick, are among the most dangerous of air particles as they can get past the nose and throat to enter the lungs and even the bloodstream. Macrotech Developers Ltd. 997.35 152.6. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to update its water pollution rules for slaughterhouses for the first time in nearly 20 years, the agency announced on Wednesday, following a lawsuit from environmental groups arguing current standards are too weak, according to Reuters. Green sticker = green light to pollute, Sonam Choekyi Lama. systema AQ AirVisual, on Thursday, also ranked Kathmandu the ninth most polluted city in the world, with PM2.5 levels reaching 139 g/m3the level at which the air becomes unhealthy for sensitive groups, as per the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality Index. Air pollution is even more dangerous than previously thought, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned . Nepal, especially Kathmandu, in the current situation, is observing rapid urbaniz But so far, the government has done almost nothing to control air pollution.. Air pollution is slashing years from billions of people's lives around the world and is a greater threat to life expectancy than smoking, HIV/AIDS or war, a report published Wednesday shows.. To The Editor The . The government has declared a public health emergency, asking schools to shut down and residents to avoid outdoor physical activities, especially during morning and late evening. In Nepal, a Cabinet decision last year adopted the Department of Environments guidelines for air pollution to declare a health emergency if AQI exceeded 300 meaning the government can ban open burning, close factories, and take measures to reduce vehicles on the roads. In . Environment News, Earth News, Global Warming, Wild Life, Carbon Trading At the same hour, Bhaktapur's air quality degraded as low as 347 (according to The World Air Quality Project) while as per DoE's data it stood at 348. Air pollution: Even worse than we thought - WHO - BBC News Barun Poudel, a senior meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecasting Division, says that the chances of pollution travelling as far north as Kathmandu from Indian cities are slim, but that Nepali cities bordering India have already seen some impacts. Thanking you. The leaves of plants are covered indust particles which limits the photosynthesis rate and affects the plants growth and natural beauty. Q : Which one is the capital of Spain. Vehicular emissions or traffic related particulate matter has serious health effects such as increased respiratory disease, reduced lung function, asthma, cardiac arrhythmias, heart disease etc. The company's plan to a second gas-fired power plant next to the existing one is being opposed by residents of the mainly minority and low-income communities around the plant who say an environmental justice law signed over two years ago by New Jersey Gov. Nepal is not far behind with 98% of its people living in such areas. Thenumberofvehiclesin the valley during the last two decades has increasedninefold,and reached 922,900 in total during 2015, according to the Department of Transport Management inNepal. Recently the government has decided that the plastics that are less than 40 microns will be banned from use from the month of Shrawan 2078. AQI is a composite measurement of the concentration . Nepal's schools close as air pollution hits alarming levels An article by three Brazilian researchers published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research aims to contribute to progress in this field by proposing a novel perspective on particle . Coca-Cola is named world's worst plastic polluter for a fifth year. The EPI recently found Nepal to have the worst air pollution in the world. The Threat of Ambient Air Pollution in Kathmandu, Nepal - Hindawi Controlling tobacco in Nepal is already such a big challenge, butKathmandus degrading air quality has doubled the disease burden, says health activist Shanta Lall Mulmi. A breakdown of whats known, and whats not, about the incident and its aftermath. At this level of air quality, it is better that active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.