Air pollution and health risks in winter

Winter means there is a certain dryness in the environment which leads to different health issues and problems. The dropping temperatures also makes you more prone to flu, allergies, and various other ailments. While everyone loves basking in the sun in the winter, no one likes being bundled up in layers of clothes and the bunch of issues that the season brings. ApEx spoke to four people to find out what they dislike about winter, how they deal with it, and what they think should be done at policy level to manage some of the environmental issues we face today.

Prasiddha Prajapati, 21

There is definitely more air pollution during the winter as it's the dry season and it’s worsening because of industrialization. There are more vehicles on the roads and what makes it worse is that the roads are dug up randomly and left in semi-constructed states which lead to a lot of debris and dust. Building constructions also add to the pollution. I think it can be minimized by the use of green nets to trap dust but that is seldom the case. If this continues, I fear it will be difficult for us to access clean air and water in the future. We are already being forced to wear masks and double boil and filter our tap water. I hope the government looks into this issue seriously and works on mitigating air pollution.

Rajin Khadka, 30

I think one of the main reasons for pollution in Kathmandu valley is deforestation. It seems to be worse in winter because it’s dry and also because people tend to light fires to keep themselves warm. There is also the issue of people burning waste in urban areas. I believe it will lead to many health issues if not corrected on time. As it is, respiratory problems, allergies, infections etc. are already on the rise. Older people and those with comorbidities are at grave risk and our government seems to be least bothered. It only springs to action when it’s already too late. I think we must take care of ourselves—get proper exercise, eat a balanced diet, and work on improving our immunity—if we want to stay healthy in the long run.  

Abhishek Bista, 37

The air pollution during the dry season makes me nostalgic of the times during my childhood, where there was less pollution and we used to spend our days playing outdoors. Now due to air pollution, it becomes very hard to breathe if you are out for a long time. On certain days, when the air quality is very bad, my eyes start to burn while riding my bike. Breathing polluted air on a regular basis has many negative effects on our bodies. Issues with the lungs and skin being one of them. Wearing masks and sunglasses are some of the ways in which I try to protect myself from air pollution but I fear these little things aren’t enough.

Ram Laxmi Lohala, 62

In winter it’s usually dry as there is little to no rain. And while that might come as a respite to many, in the light of the recent floods that wreaked havoc, it brings with it a different set of problems. Dry weather leaves us more prone to allergies and infections. It’s quite common for people to fall ill during the winter, and especially those who already have health issues face an even bigger risk. I believe drinking warm water, wearing proper clothes, keeping your homes well insulated, and watering the road outside your homes (if it’s dry and dusty) can go a long way in keeping you safe during winter. I’m also a big believer in getting your daily dose of vitamin D by sitting out in the sun—it can help prevent many issues.