Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the general public to adopt special precaution in view of the increasing air pollution in the major cities of the country including the Kathmandu Valley. The Ministry has appealed to the people not to go outside the house except for emergency purposes citing the causes of air pollution may have a serious impact on human health.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr. According to Dr Prakash Budhathoki, the level of harmful particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air of Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar and other parts of the Tarai has increased significantly. “These fine and harmful particles that enter the body through respiration and skin pose a serious risk to human health,” he said.
Senior citizens, pregnant women, children below 5 years of age and people with chronic diseases are at high risk of pollution. “It can cause general eye pain, redness and vision loss, serious diseases related to heart, kidney, respiratory diseases and even cancer,” Budhathoki said.
Suggestion not to go out in the morning and evening
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The ministry has advised against going out of the house especially in the morning and evening to avoid pollution. It has been urged not to go out for morning walks or evening walks as harmful germs and particles accumulate in the lower layers of the atmosphere during the morning and evening hours. The ministry has recommended wearing a mask when going out, wearing goggles to protect your eyes, and wearing a cloth and cap that covers the entire body to protect your skin from pollution.
Ministry of Health coordinating with other ministries
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The Ministry of Health is also coordinating and advocating with other concerned ministries to reduce air pollution. According to Budhathoki, discussions are underway with the ministries of Industry, Physical Infrastructure, Agriculture and Forest and Environment to reduce pollution.
The Ministry has urged all sides to be responsible to stop the pollution until the use of pesticides in vehicles, factories, agriculture, burning waste and plastic and forest fires are controlled. For the time being, keeping the body safe is the best option to avoid the direct impact of pollution, the ministry said. – News Agency Nepal
