Fact-checking and verification of data crucial to justify claims, experts suggest
KATHMANDU, AUGUST 31
The Air Quality Life Index, 2023 report has found that air pollution has been shortening lives by 6.8 years in nine districts with the highest concentration of particulate pollution.
Particularly, the districts that lie in southern Nepal and share their borders with the highly-polluted northern plains of India are being adversely affected by air quality in the neighbouring country.
Most populous regions of Nepal belonging to Madhes Province have been bearing the burnt of particulate pollution. As per the report, there is curtailment of life expectancy by 7.5 years in Mahottari, 7.4 years in Rautahat and Dhanusha, and 7.2 years in Sarlahi and Bara districts. Similarly, pollution has been reducing 6.7 years off the lives of people residing in Siraha, and 6.2 years in Saptari and Rupandehi districts.
"Some areas of Nepal fare much worse than average, with air pollution shortening lives by 6.8 years in the nine districts with the highest concentration of particulate pollution," reads the report. "If Nepal were to reduce particulate pollution to meet the WHO guideline, residents in the mid and eastern Tarai region - where nearly 40 per cent of Nepal's population resides - would gain 6.5 years of life expectancy. In the capital city of Kathmandu - Nepal's most populous city - residents would gain 3.5 years of life expectancy."
Nepal is the world's third most polluted country based on satellite-derived PM2.5 data. Fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) shortens the average Nepali resident's life expectancy by 4.6 years, relative to what it would be if the World Health Organisation guideline of 5 µg/m3 was met.
Bangladesh tops the list while India has occupied the second place. Nepal is in third place, followed by Pakistan. Therefore, the report has established that South Asia is the home of four most polluted countries with about a quarter of the earth's population. It has stated that a huge number of people live in the areas where the annual average particulate pollution level exceeds the WHO guideline. "Despite high health burden due to particulate pollution, the country does not have a national standard for annual average PM2.5," the report stated.
Measured in terms of life expectancy, particulate pollution is the greatest threat to human health in Nepal, taking 4.6 years off the life of average Nepali resident. In contrast, tobacco use reduces life expectancy by 2.8 years, while high blood pressure reduces life expectancy by 1.7 years.
Particulate pollution has increased over time. During the period of 1998 and 2021, average annual particulate pollution increased by 75.2 per cent, further reducing life expectancy by 2.2 years.
Meanwhile, experts have argued not to believe in this report blindly. Fact-checking and verification of data is very crucial, they suggested. It is good for knowledge dissemination and planning/policy package, but we cannot trust their facts by quoting the life span reduction by 4.6 years in Nepal and 6.8 years in the southern Tarai of the country, according to experts.
Talking to THT, Air Quality expert Dr Bhupendra Das said, "PM2.5 cannot be the only cause of this life expectancy reduction. It also involves the role of multiple pollutants. Its reflection is important for the scientific community. Also, background information and variables considered in this study seem to be missing. Moreover, data verification is required from the local and central level to justify the claim."
He further said, "Stubble burning in the agriculture fields, massive coal use in the industrial sector due to booming industrialisation, and forest fires are contributing sources from neighbouring countries that increase air pollution in Nepal too."
Air pollution does not have any boundaries. Hence, due to both transboundary and domestic sources of air pollution, life is under threat. This needs to be resolved with the introduction of strategic solutions. Rapid road construction, biomass and waste materials burning, brick kilns and construction works, vehicle emissions, use of excessive coal, and animal dung for cooking, among others, contribute to deteriorating air quality.
"People in the southern area are less conscious about the impacts of air pollution compared to people living in developed urban areas like Kathmandu and Pokhara. Therefore, generating awareness, adoption of green energy and proper collaboration and cooperation among the three tiers of government is crucial to resolve this particular issue," Dr Das said.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 1, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
