The leaves of plants are covered indust particles which limits the photosynthesis rate and affects the plants growth and natural beauty. Plastic overconsumption and mismanagement of plastic waste is a growing menace, causing landfills to overflow, choking rivers, and threatening marine ecosystems. It remained at above 500 from 10PM till 5AM, falling to 480 at 7AM on Tuesday. 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. A recent study by scientists from Peking University (China) and the University of Connecticut (USA) [1] has revealed that 1 in 15 lost pregnancies in South Asia may be due to air . A general view of a street during a smoggy day as the government has orderedschoolsto close for four days after the air pollution climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country, in Kathmandu, Nepal March 30, 2021. The level between 401 and 500 is very hazardous. South Asia News: KATHMANDU: Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after air pollution climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home. Pollution means decline of the original qualities of the elements of the environment like air, water, land, etc. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. 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. The 3rd leading cause of death in low and middle-income countries is COPD, 5th leading cause is Lower Respiratory Infections and seventh is Diarrheal diseases. However, the vast portion of pollution is generated locally. The air pollution emergency in Kathmandu puts the elderly, those with asthma and other respiratory ailments at high risk, and would be especially dangerous to those with Covid-19. 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. Kathmandu valley requireshalf of the total gasoline consumed in Nepal. 30 Mar 2021. The birds identified as having the disease, named . Therefore, this study investigates the presence and abundance of microplastic in lake surface water . 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. SAMPLE 2. Kakhara Madhyam Pvt. Similarly, one-fifth of the total diesel is used inKathmandu. Air pollution is a silent killer and while it is difficult to quantify its heath impact, hospitalisation due to serious respiratory diseases has increased sharply in recent years, says chest specialist Raju Pangeni at HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu. 2022: Emergency mode for the environment. The smoke generated from the wildfires worsened the pollution, according to an officer at the Division. AQI is a composite measurement of the concentration . 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. The recent Environmental Performance Index 2016 has suggested increase in overall PM 2.5 in Nepal over the last decade. ? 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.. Yours sincerely, Rajesh. Health alert must be imposed on everyone as everybody is prone to experience more serious health effects. This is a very great decision taken by the government. The statement declared that the level of pollution in the valley is increasingly -- especially in the mornings and the evenings -- creating negative implications on people's health. Editor Online: Sahina Shrestha | Executive Editor: Sonia Awale 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. The US Environmental Protection Agency gave the all clear for residents to return home shortly after the February 3 derailment and controlled burn that followed. People must stay safe indoors and not come out except for emergencies, the health ministry said. It urges the polluters to pay for the damage done to the natural environment. 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. By Leah Douglas. The major reason for high ambient air pollution in Nepal is largely from traffic related with old . We could barely see the birds flying around before but nowadays we can see the birds chirping and flying up in the sky due to decrease in air pollution. 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. 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. Nifty-129.. NSE Gainer-Large Cap . Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. . It may bring various adverse impact to the environment. 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. Majorities express "a great deal" of worry about the pollution of both drinking water (56%) and rivers, lakes and reservoirs (53%). hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters. At a time when Kathmandus, AQI was hitting record highs on Tuesday morning, with 438, the New Delhi suburb of Noida recorded less than 151 (. Every year, 35,000 people in Nepal die from illnesses related to air contaminants. The entire population is more likely to be affected. In 2000 / 2001 there were 24,003 vehicles registered in Kathmandu and this has increased dramatically to 79,822 in 2015 / 2016. Globally, air pollution results in around seven million deaths annually. Officials at Nepals only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. But so far, the government has done almost nothing to control air pollution.. Also, news . 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. This company thinks bacteria can help fix fashion's water pollution problem. But this winter, the haze barely let us see through it. Nepali lawmakers tend to shun study and researchwith rare exceptions, Healthy youth presence perks up Lumbini Provincial Assembly. The effect of dust is not limited to human beings, but is also felt byplants, particularly to those closer to the road. Kathmandu valley requires half of the total gasoline consumed in Nepal. Nepal, with a population of 30 million people, is located in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the worlds biggest polluters. Change to compound, We took a tour of the most amazing Chateau during our holiday, which we discovered . by accident.a. We've received your submission. Air pollution has been a major problem of 21st century for both developed and developing world. How to clean up Kathmandus air, Anil Chitrakar, Poisoning the air we breathe, Sonia Awale. As reported by the World Bank, Nepal is one of the poorest nations in the world with an estimated GDP per capita of US$470. Sonia Awale May 31, 2019. We chartered a train to Glasgow for COP26 and took 500 people with us. The average exposure for the officers was 51.2 g/m 3, with an hourly maximum of more than 500 g/m 3. Over the weekend, pollution levels hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters news agency. It said that air pollution is dependent on weather system, and due to this fact, the pollution may last for some time or may worsen further with the passing of time. New WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) provide clear evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health, at even lower concentrations than previously understood. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. 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. Kathmandu has dangerous levels of air and water pollution, making certain regions of the city nearly unlivable. Only a year ago, snow clad mountains shone brightly in the winter and we could see the mountains and hills clearly. 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. 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. The agency, along with local and . 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. 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 . This year, I have already started feeling different. The transport sector further contributes 30 percent of PM10 particles, which are smaller than a grain of sand and can easily pass through the hairs in our nose, second only to the construction sector, which emits 53 percent of the total PM10. This is what we learned. , : Which country has the most number of lakes. Local pollution in Nepali border towns with high vehicular emissions and industrial pollution could increase due to pollution coming from across the border, he said. Ironically, World No Tobacco Day falls on 31 May, just four days ahead of Environment Day. One of the cheapest energy sources. The haze has become a part of our environment, impeding our view and lowering our visibility. It has a negative impact on various environmental aspects which directly or indirectly affect the quality of human health. In this level of air quality, everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. 21 October 2021 Climate and Environment. The government should really take a closer look at what their decision might lead the environment and the whole country to in the future. ? Sunil Paudel, Basudevs son, stopped going on morning walks last year after learning that Kathmandus air quality was reaching unsafe levels. On Monday night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in parts of Kathmandu crossed 500, according to measurements at theUS Embassy measuring stationat Phora Darbar. Introduction. 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. There is now growing fear that the toxic air of India, which had 22 of the worlds most polluted cities in 2018, will reach Nepal and cause a similar health panic, especially as the country itself has been struggling to check its air pollution levels. Air pollution frequently causes osteoporosis, heart attacks, dementia and kidney diseases. In recent time it has been seen that the pollution is increasing day by day. The Geyh-Bouwer Trainee Practice Award recognizes students whose application of science demonstrates the betterment of the environment and/or public health. Air pollution regularly exceeds recommended safe levels. According to Poudel, the pollution level in the border towns of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar can slightly influence pollution along the border area. A road-widening spree, earthquake destruction and delays in fixing streets dug up to replace water mains has turned the Valley into a dust bowl. The views expressed in the articles published on this site may not necessarily reflect those of the trust, its trustees or its staff. Download the latest essay from our Megamorphosis series now. There has also been a 25% increase in the number of vehicles on the roads. Air pollution shortens lives more than any other external cause. Such particles will not reach Kathmandu because it is surrounded by hills. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. Kathmandu Valley has seen a rapid increase in vehicle numbers in the last 15 years. Publisher: Kunda Dixit, Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu Nestled between China and India - two of the world's biggest polluters - Nepal often . News from Indian environment including wildlife like tiger, lion, elephants. But the Narayani's problems go back further. once done will text u on pint nd ins, I saw a fantastic film yesterday. The values between 151 and 200 are categorised as unhealthy. 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. Around 100 people die every day in Nepal because of air pollution. 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,. The analysis, based on more than 100 recent peer-reviewed studies, detected over 120 unique PFAS compounds in these animals . With New Delhi and parts of northern India suffering under hazardous pollution levels, Nepal needs to take heed and prepare accordingly, environmental activists say. 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. Plastic pollution in oceans and other bodies of water continues to grow sharply and could more than double by 2030, according to an assessment released on Thursday by the UN Environment Programme ( UNEP ). Globally, air pollution results in around seven million deaths annually. The funds are the first . 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. Why this advert is dangerous to people and nature and shows advertising needs new controls. Trans-boundary pollution can affect our air quality too as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, connected to Nepal, are also polluted. We know what we're looking at when brown haze settles over a city, exhaust billows across a busy highway, or a plume rises from a smokestack. People must stay safe indoors and not come out except for emergencies, the health ministry said. For many influencers across the political spectrum, claims about the environmental effects of the train derailment have gone far beyond known facts. The high mountains around the Kathmandu valley allows air pollution to accumulate in the city. News about Air Pollution, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times. In addition, vehicles passing over broken or traveled roadrelease huge amounts of dust particles into the air, worsening air pollution further. Reuters. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT, A screenshot showing Air Quality Index (AQI) for various cities as measured at 8 am on Thursday, March 25, 2021. Microplastics are man-made pollutants which have been detected in surface water and groundwater. 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. ? Collective action from many sectors is needed to assure that everyone can breathe clean air.. Copper multifaceted interferences during swine wastewater treatment in high rate algal ponds: Alterations on nutrient removal, biomass composition and resource recovery. 'We need to transform our commitment into action that will have an impact on the gases that drive climate change.'. And with reports of Indias north and its capital New Delhi struggling with extreme air pollution, Sunil wonders how much worse the air will get this winter. And residents of the capital who smoke get a double whammy. There are dozens of varieties of masks available in the market, along with air purifiers that cost more than Rs130,000. Similarly, Dhangadhi was third in line to have the most degraded air quality among the list of stations measuring the AQI. The effect of dust is not limited to human beings, but is also felt by plants, particularly to those closer to the road. Under the US Clean Water Act, the EPA regulates wastewater discharge from meat and poultry plants into . The victims of air pollution urgently require an appropriate action plan . World news on global warming, climate change, wildlife, pollution, carbon business and climate politics. Some air pollution is not seen, but its pungent smell alerts you. Nepal, with a population of 30 million people, is located in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the world's biggest polluters. We are mainly responsible for the destructive changes in the environment. 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. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency intends to update its water pollution rules for slaughterhouses for the first time in nearly 20 years, the agency . A road-widening spree, earthquake destruction and delays in fixing streets . 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. ? For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service, : Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after. 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. There is a proportionately very high consumption of gasoline and diesel in the valley. But public outrage does not seem to translate into action to clean up the air. It is now causing heart attacks, kidney diseases, osteoporosis and dementia. Despite public awareness and relentless media coverage, Kathmandus air quality has worsened in the past two years. 22 September 2021. Environmental Health issues are a not major risk factors for the Global Burden of Diseases. Nearly two weeks after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, confusing messages from government officials have frayed locals trust. A new disease caused solely by plastics has been discovered in seabirds. Whilstthis shows an improvement over the course of one year, when observing datataken from the capital city . Our aim is to educate and inform as many people as possible about the wonders of nature, the crisis we face and the best solutions and methods in managing that crisis. We human beings have been using the natural resources profusely. Non-smokers in Kathmandu are now suffering from diseases that you would expect to see afflicting chain smokers. Coca-Cola is named world's worst plastic polluter for a fifth year. Motorcycles and passenger vehicles such as jeeps, cars and vansaccountedfor 92 percentof total registered vehicles in Bagmatiby the end of 2014-15. In terms of air pollution, the 2016 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranked Nepal 177th out of 180 countries. 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 a chronic problem in the rapidly growing capital city of Kathmandu and an additional headache for the government that is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic. 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. That compares with the governments standard level of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. Of course, a masks effectiveness depends on how well it fits on the face, but a simple, disposable surgical mask can be more cost-effective than those fancy looking expensive ones. According to Tuladhar, New Delhi was able to immediately swing into action because it had an action plan to deal with the crisis. While asked about the poorest air quality index of the capital city, Shankar Prasad Poudel, information officer for the Department of Environment, said that three major factors have affected the air quality of the Valley. At a time when KathmandusAQI was hitting record highs on Tuesday morningwith 438, the New Delhi suburb of Noida recorded less than 151 (AQI World map, below). Besides the quantity of fuel consumption, the poor road condition of older vehicles is triggering air quality problems in the valley. 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. 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. . Fewer, though still substantial minorities ranging between 40% and 45% . 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. Similarly, one-fifth of the total diesel is used in Kathmandu. at Phora Darbar. I know..mom's got a lock on literally everythin so y we gotta wait..! The garbage should be properly disposed and managed. newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal Posted by July 3, 2022 morenci area schools staff on newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal The World Health Organization (WHO) reportsfine particulate matter of up to 140 g m-3 - which is aroundtentimes higher than the WHO limit. Basudev Paudel is in his late fifties and at his age, he believes that regular morning walks are important for keeping healthy. A visit to East Palestine from the head of the E.P.A. Strong laws related to environment should be made and implemented. The Biden Administration will make $250 million in grants available to develop strategies to cut climate pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday. Taking action to tackle the pollution in Nepal On hand was Marcia Bernicat of the US Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs. climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country. At times, it feels like my eyes are burning, said 34-year-old Sunil. Afforestation should begin and deforestation should come to an end. The strategy guiding the work for The Ecologist for the years 2023 to 2026 has now been published. The COP27 sponsor's products were the most commonly found items by volunteers researching plastic pollution. Hundreds of thousands are sheltering in tents, breathing air thick with pollutants unleashed from tombs of rubble, fearful that a new disaster could strike at any moment. It is a major threat to global health and prosperity. Therefore, it is advised that everyone should avoid all outdoor exertions. News from Indian environment including wildlife like tiger, lion, elephants. This level is considered hazardous, and can lead to serious aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly, [along with] serious risk of respiratory effects in general population, according to the United States Environment Protection Agency. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. The World Air Quality Project's index stood at 515 at that time while that of the Department of Environment (DoE) stood at 490. New Delhis AQI levels, which have been consistently high all winter because of crop residue burning as well as vehicular and industrial pollution, got a respite on Monday because of rainfall. Department of Information Registration No. Electrified public transport would have been a good place to start, but 6 months after Prime Minister KP Oli launched an electric mobility action plan to turn at least 20% of public vehicles into battery-operated ones by 2020, progress has been slow. Required fields are marked *. EIAs must be submitted to Nepal's Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) for approval, whereas IEEs can be approved by other relevant ministries. Between 301 and 400 (maroon), the air quality is at a hazardous level; it has more severe health implications. A breakdown of whats known, and whats not, about the incident and its aftermath. When will women lead big political parties? 12 February 2021. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Senate voted Thursday to make it harder for thieves to sell stolen catalytic converters, a crime that has skyrocketed across the country in recent years. But public health specialists discount their efficacy and stress that the best solution is to reduce air pollution at sources. Their effectiveness also varies depending on the work place, environment and fitting. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh recently concluded that surgical masks blocked 80% of particles sized 0.007 microns. New Delhis AQI levels, which have been consistently high all winter because of crop residue burning as well as vehicular and industrial pollution, got a respite on Monday because of rainfall. purely b. wisely c. competentlyd. In Nepal, 35,000 people die annually due to illnesses caused by polluted air. Southwesterly winds have carried in some clouds with dust particles, mainly in the western parts of Tarai districts like Kanchanpur, Banke and Bardiya, Poudel told the Post. Research on microplastic concentration in aquatic environment is attracting scientists from developing countries, but in Nepal no information regarding microplastic in freshwater system is available. You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser, News article on environment pollutation in nepal to be published in newspaper, Describe a situation where you made a wrong decision and also explain how did you handle the situation?, Which one is the tallest tower in the world. New Delhi has seen a sudden spike whereas Kathmandu witnesses a gradual increase in pollution level starting from November and reaching peak levels in January.. On Wednesday, the daily average PM 2.5 level for the western city clocked around 200, which is deemed unhealthy. Additionally, problems like littering and excessive carbon emissions are causing problems for both people and the environment. 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. Winter inversion, vehicular emission, wildfires, and cross-border industrial pollution have combined to give Kathmandu Valley the worst air quality among cities in the world this week, adding to the risk of respiratory complications for Covid-19 patients. 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.