Air Pollution in Nepal

Air pollution levels are alarming in many parts of the world. Unfortunately, Nepal is no exception. What are the sources of air pollution in Nepal and how to avoid negative consequences of long-term exposure to smog? What should you know before travelling to this country? Keep reading to learn more!

What is air pollution?

Air pollution is defined as a mix of chemical compounds, biological materials, and particulate matter that form small harmful particles when they interact with each other. 

There are a few key pollutant markers that help to evaluate air quality in a specific area. The list includes PM 2.5, and PM 10. Why should you look at these parameters? Because particulate matter is the most common pollutant that has an impact on our health and well-being.

There are official guidelines published by the World Health Organization according to which the annual concentration of PM 2.5, and PM 10 shouldn’t exceed respectively 10 µg/m3 and 20 µg/m3.

Potential risks

When talking about potential risks of being exposed to smog and air pollutants, it’s important to mark a division between long term and short term exposure.

Short term symptoms include:

• irritated, itchy nose, eyes, and throat,
• coughing,
• wheezing,
• headaches,
• chest pain,
• shortness of breath,
• nausea,
• problems with concentration,
• or even pneumonia and bronchitis.

On the other hand, long term symptoms include:

• asthma,
• cardiovascular diseases,
• cancer,
• chronic respiratory conditions,
• allergies,
• strokes,
• heart attacks,
• infertility,
• or even premature death.

What’s the air pollution in Nepal?

According to available data, the amount of PM 2.5 in Nepal exceeds 100 µg/m3, which is 10 times more than the concentration recommended by the WHO.

High levels of air pollution in Nepal result mainly from the operation of construction, and manufacturing companies, waste burning, and vehicle exhaust fumes. Interestingly, the air is the most polluted in the dry season from December to April, and varies depending on the altitude. If you plan to travel to a place located in a valley, the chances are there will be more smog and pollutants than in a mountainous area.

What should you do before travelling to Nepal?

Since air pollution levels in Nepal are pretty high, travelling to this country can be dangerous. Consequently, if you’re planning a trip there, you should take a few preventive measures:

• if you suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or asthma, consult your healthcare provider and ask if you should bring antibiotics, or inhalers with you,
• minimize your exposure to harmful substances, observe locals, follow the news, check air quality in the area you travel to, and resign from strenuous activities,
• wear a face mask when you spend long hours outside,
• don’t go to Nepal with small children or newborns as they’re particularly vulnerable.

The takeaway

Air pollution in Nepal is extremely high, and because of that, the country can be listed as a polluted and not particularly safe to live in or travel to. Before planning your trip there, it’s worth making sure that you avoid the dry season and book accommodation at higher altitudes.

Are you wondering whether the time of the year impacts the air quality in other countries as well? Check out our entry where we discuss whether air pollution is worse during the summer or winter.