Kathmandu. As many as 42,000 people die due to air pollution in Nepal every year. Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population Dr Prakash Budhathoki said 21 percent of them were children below five years of age.

Air pollution causes respiratory asthma, heart disease and heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and memory impairment.

Experts have also said that due to pollution, children are more likely to suffer from respiratory problems, heart disease, infant morbidity, risk of childhood cancer, delay in brain development, abnormal behavior and malnutrition. Similarly, low birth weight babies, anemia, infertility, gestational diabetes and mental health problems are also common.

According to the Ministry of Air Pollution, Dr Budhathoki, the level of air pollution in Nepal is eight times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) standard. The air quality index in Nepal was measured at 185 on Thursday, he said.

According to WHO standards, the average annual concentration of fine particulate matter should not exceed five micrograms per cubic meter. According to Dr Budhathoki, if the amount of fine particulate matter is less than that, it can float in the air and reach the lungs during the respiration process. According to him, pollution in Nepal is more than the WHO standard.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered healthy, 51 to 100 is conscious and 101 to 151 is considered hazardous for vulnerable groups (senior citizens, chronic diseases and children). An air quality index (AQI) above 151 is considered unhealthy.

It is estimated that the life expectancy of Nepalis will increase by three years every year if this is brought in compliance with the WHO’s standard. Air pollution kills 7.9 million people each year, 90 percent of which are in low- and middle-income countries.

Air pollution is caused by vehicular exhaust, industrial emissions, open burning of waste and organic materials, road and construction dust, forest fires and the use of pesticides and pesticides.