CLIMATE AND AIR QUALITY:
A CASE STUDY OF PM10 POLLUTION IN KATHMANDU, NEPAL
Mark L. Hildebrandt1 and Sumit Pokhrel2
Department of Geography1
Environmental Sciences Program2
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1459
1. INTRODUCTION
High concentrations of lower atmospheric pollution (e.g. ozone, lead, and particulate
matter) pose a threat to the health of the inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. (16,
17) Prolonged exposure may lead to respiratory infection and lung inflammation, with
the most drastic result being irreversible changes in lung structure and chronic respiratory
illness. Those most prone to pollution-related afflictions are children, due to prolonged
exposure, and the elderly, due to enhancement of pre-existing respiratory diseases. (12)
Because of such threats, high levels of lower atmospheric pollution across the Kathmandu
urban area have been of interest to Nepalese scientists and local government agencies
over the past decade. (16, 17) In order to combat the problem of air pollution, the
Ministry of Population and Environment (MoPE) is interested in a better understanding of
the climatological conditions that foster high levels of air pollution in Kathmandu. The
ultimate goal of this understanding is an improved forecast model for air pollution,
particulate matter specifically. Such a model can provide for better protective measures
for all at-risk populations.
Like other growing urban centers, the Kathmandu metropolitan area is particularly
susceptible to episodes of high concentrations of particulate matter (PM10). But such high
concentrations are likely not solely due to the rapidly growing population. Both the
climate and the physical geography of the area must also be considered along with the
human aspect in the context of this particular environmental problem. From a human
geography perspective, it is clear that the large population of automobile users and
industries within the Kathmandu me