Swiss firm ranks Kathmandu most polluted city in the world

ANI April 8, 2025 238 views

Kathmandu has been identified as the world's most polluted city by Swiss firm IQAir, with shocking air quality metrics that far exceed global health standards. The city's air pollution is causing significant health risks, with 42,000 annual deaths and a dramatic reduction in life expectancy. Factors like vehicular emissions, industrial smoke, and unregulated waste burning are primary contributors to this environmental emergency. The situation demands immediate comprehensive intervention to protect public health and mitigate long-term ecological damage.

"PM2.5 concentration is currently 40.9 times the World Health Organization annual PM2.5 guideline value." - IQAir
Kathmandu, April 8: A Swiss firm, IQAir, has ranked Kathmandu as the most polluted city in the world on Tuesday.

Key Points

1

Kathmandu records 279 AQI in extreme pollution zone

2

Air pollution causes 42,000 annual deaths in Nepal

3

Vehicular emissions and industrial smoke contribute to toxic air

As per their website, the city of Kathmandu recorded an AQI of 279, which comes in the range of "very unhealthy".

According to IQAir, It recorded PM 2.5 at 204.5 ug/m3and PM10 at 233.5 ug/m3.

[{7bcdc512-f906-4b91-b085-3102955e5496:intradmin/ANI-20250408035527.jpg}]

As per IQAir, "PM2.5 concentration is currently 40.9 times the World Health Organization annual PM2.5 guideline value."

The depleting air quality has spiked respiratory difficulty cases at major government hospitals in the valley.

The Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), one of the largest government-run multidisciplinary hospitals, has seen a spike in the number of patients in its OPD (Out-Patient Department).

The Nepali capital, Kathmandu, has an area of 413.69 square kilometres and has become a hotspot of air pollution in the recent decade. According to the 2022 census data, it has a population density of 12,440 square miles and a population of 1,988,606.

Smoke from industries, houses, vehicular emissions, and haphazard waste burning have been contributing to increased pollution. The use of vehicles that have failed emission tests is further fueling the pollutants contributing to industrial smoke.

The Ministry of Health reports that air pollution causes 42,000 deaths in Nepal annually--19 per cent of which are children under five and 27 per cent are individuals over 70. The data indicates that air pollution has decreased the life expectancy of Nepalis by 4.1 per cent. Nepal's air quality is far worse than the World Health Organization's safe air standards, making this a growing public health crisis.

Nepal's air quality is far worse than the World Health Organization's safe air standards, making this a growing public health crisis.

The city's air quality has been a major public health problem, causing air pollution-related morbidity and mortality. This places an economic burden on the country due to the loss of productivity and overutilisation of health system resources.

There has also been a lack of health impact assessment data to estimate the health and economic burden of air pollution as well as of the sectoral measures needed to tackle this environmental challenge.

Reader Comments

S
Sarah K.
This is heartbreaking to read 😢 I visited Kathmandu last year and could already feel the pollution. The government needs to take immediate action before more lives are lost.
R
Rajesh P.
As a Kathmandu resident, this isn't surprising but still shocking to see the numbers. We need better public transport and stricter emission controls. My child has developed asthma in the last 2 years.
M
Michael T.
While the article presents concerning data, I wish it had more concrete solutions being implemented. Awareness is good, but action is better. What are local organizations doing about this?
A
Anita S.
The statistic about children under 5 being affected is terrifying. We're failing our future generations. Time for regional cooperation on environmental policies!
D
David L.
I wonder how much of this is due to geographical factors vs human activity. The valley location probably traps pollutants. Still, 40x WHO guidelines is unacceptable by any measure.
P
Priya M.
Mask sales must be booming there. On a serious note, this shows how environmental issues disproportionately affect developing nations. Global support is needed, not just local action.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published

Tags:
Kathmandu Air Pollution IQAir Nepal Health Crisis Environmental Pollution WHO Air Standards
You May Like!