Control Polution

Ministry of Environment has established an air quality monitoring system in Kathmandu valley consisting of six monitoring stations in Putali Sadak, Patan Hospital, Thamel, Bhaktapur, Kirtipur and Matsyagaon. These monitoring stations automatically collect 24-hour samples of air and the samples are analyzed for PM10. The data being generated from the six monitoring stations in Kathmandu gives a fairly good picture of the current status of air quality in the valley. Analysis of past data available from those monitoring stations revealed that Putali Sadak is the most polluted station followed by Patan Hospital, Thamel, Bhaktapur, Kirtipur and Matsyagaon. The seasonal variation in air pollution is especially high in Bhaktapur. This is mainly due to that most of the valley''s brick kilns are located around Bhaktapur and they start operating in November / December. In the mean time, wind in Kathmandu flows east towards Bhaktapur, carrying with it a significant amount of particles from Kathmandu. Due to the brick kilns and the westerly winds from Kathmandu, the air quality in Bhaktapur gets very much deteriorated in the winter season.

Reduction of vehicle exhaust emission is the most effective measure to improve air quality of the valley. Electric vehicles can play an important role in reducing emission loads in Kathmandu. Operating the existing trolley bus system could save approximately three tons of potentially carcinogenic particles from being released into Kathmandu''s air every year. As diesel exhaust is very hazardous for human health and it is the main source of fine particles, diesel vehicles should be avoided to the extent possible. Government should introduce economic tools, such as fuel tax, to discourage the use of diesel vehicles. Introduction of environment-friendly brick kilns can also significantly reduce the amount of pollutants in dry winter season. Public awareness campaigns are required to inform the people about the hazards of air pollution and what they can do to avoid or minimize air pollution.

A wide range of interventions are also available to reduce indoor air pollution, for instance, changes in energy technology, such as, switching from bio-mass fuels to cleaner fuels like kerosene, liquid petroleum gas, biogas, solar energy; improving the design and construction of locally made traditional stoves by the use of chimney, fume hoods; and changes in the living environment such as, improving the state of kitchen ventilation and raising awareness among the local people about the seriousness of the kitchen air pollution and building up participatory approach in the efforts made to reduce indoor air pollution.

Electricity as a source of cooking fuel may not be a good option considering its unavailability and cost factors. Good quality housing is a key element for healthy living. Poor housing can lead to many health problems, and is associated with various infectious diseases, stress and depression. Followings are the recommendations for the improvement of housing as well as indoor air quality in our settings: The concept of kitchen as an independent unit of the house is not in existence in Nepal. The separate unit for kitchen with the standard dimension based on fuel use should be recommended in practice. The awareness on health effects of indoor air pollution is lacking. So awareness-raising activities on effect of indoor air pollution on human health must be promoted. Use of environment friendly fuel must be promoted and considered as the best alternative for reducing indoor air pollution in houses.

Adequate home ventilation is important. Ventilation may be improved by constructing houses with sufficient number of windows particularly in cooking areas. Houses can be constructed using bricks with holes drilled through them (air bricks), which allows fresh air to circulate within the house. Ventilation in kitchen and other rooms can also be improved by incorporating mechanical devices like exhaust fans.