The Cost of Kathmandu’s Dirty Air

The sky over the Kathmandu Valley has once again been shrouded in smoke and dust. According to data from the Swiss organisation IQAir, Kathmandu’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 206 on Wednesday morning—a level classified as “very unhealthy” for public health. When the AQI exceeds 200, it signals a serious public health warning. Kathmandu’s frequent appearance near the top of the list of the world’s most polluted cities reflects our persistent failure to confront this growing public health challenge. It is also a result of continued inaction. Scientific evidence has made it clear that air pollution is no longer merely an environmental concern; it is a major public health crisis. Polluted air damages vital organs such as the heart, blood vessels, lungs and kidneys, and contributes to conditions including asthma, cancer and eye diseases. It poses particularly grave risks to children, the elderly, people with respiratory illnesses and other vulnerable groups. International reports show that air pollution has become one of the leading causes of death and disability in Nepal. According to the Air Quality Life Index, toxic air has reduced the average life expectancy of Nepalis by 3.4 years. Meanwhile, the State of Global Air Report estimates that nearly 48,000 people in Nepal died from air pollution in 2021 alone.