Health Ministry urges to adopt high precautions in view of rising air pollution

Kathmandu: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged people to adopt high precautions due to the increase in air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley.

Issuing a press release on Thursday, the Ministry requested everyone to take precautions as Nepal ranked on the list of most polluted countries in the world for the past few days as per the Air Quality Index.

According to the Ministry, AQI level in Kathmandu is now recorded at 348 and enlisted in the ‘hazardous’ category, An AQI level of 0-50 is considered ‘good’, from 51-100 ‘moderate’, from 101-150 ‘unhealthy for sensitive group’, from 151-200 to be ‘unhealthy’, from 201-300 ‘very unhealthy’ and above 301 to be ‘hazardous’.

Ministry Spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki suggested that children, elderly persons, pregnant women and people with respiratory illness adopt special precautions as they are considered more vulnerable to the impact of air pollution.

The Ministry also urged the general public not to step out of their houses except for essential work, to wear masks compulsorily while travelling, and not to visit most polluted areas. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority asked one and all to take initiatives from their areas to control air pollution and stay vigilant about health.

Air pollution level is increasing due to forest fire, road construction and industrial activities, added the Authority. Similarly, industries, factories, and bodies operating construction-related activities have been urged to take the necessary precautions to reduce air pollution.

The Authority, through the government, directed the bodies concerned to measure air pollution and adopt immediate measures to improve air quality.

RSS