How much Dangerous is Pollution in Kathmandu? How to Be safe?

Do you know what pollution is and how it affects the human health?

Particulate matter pm 2.5 (atmospheric particulate matter) are microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in the earth’s atmosphere. The source of the particulate matter is man-made or natural. It impacts on climate and precipitation that adversely affect human health. There is no safe pm 2.5 µm –pm 10 µm particulate matter. Particulate matter that’s less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) can remain in the air for days to weeks. It can penetrate deep into our lungs, collecting in tiny air sacs (alveoli) where oxygen enters the bloodstream. Health problems begin when the body starts to react to these foreign invaders. Another danger is that PM2.5 can contain a number of potentially harmful substances, such as cancer-causing chemicals.

The activities of human beings contaminate the air with toxic pollutants. Air pollution has both short-term and long-term adverse effects, and contributes to non-communicable diseases. Coughing and wheezing are two of the mild problems associated with inhaling PM2.5. However, this type of air pollution can also cause or worsen serious illnesses such as asthma, heart disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and pneumonia. Exposure to PM2.5 is associated with a significant rise in the number of premature deaths from respiratory and heart disease. It’s also linked with more emergency room visits, hospitalization, and time off work and school.

Also Read: How to be safe from extreme pollution of Kathmandu.

Long-term exposure in pregnant women can cause premature births and low birth weights. Babies who were exposed to certain organic pollutants in the womb are at a highly increased risk of neural tube defects leading to conditions such as spine bifida, according to researchers in China. (Neural tube defects, in which the spinal cord, the brain or their coverings fail to develop completely, arise very early in pregnancy)

Senior citizens, infants, and people who already have lung, heart and other illnesses (such as diabetes) are the most vulnerable. However, healthy adults and children can be affected, too.

Also Read: View Real time Air quality Monitor of Kathmandu and other cities of Nepal

PM2.5 and asthma are a bad mix. PM2.5 can increase the number of asthma attacks, and make them more severe.

In addition, long-term exposure to air pollution can cause cancer and damage to the immune, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory systems. In extreme cases, it can even cause death.

Globally, greenhouse gas pollution has contributed to climate change, which has serious direct and indirect consequences for human and environmental health.

Worldwide, the problem of air pollution is heterogeneous in its sources and in the populations affected, but consistent in that there is an urgent need for action.

Reference:

1. Department of environmental protection- one winter street Boston.
2. California environmental protection agency.
3. BC air quality

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