Kathmandu Valley's air quality to remain poor for next week

Kathmandu, December 2 — The air quality in the Kathmandu Valley is expected to remain poor for the next week.

The European pollution monitoring agency, World Air Quality Index (IQAir), has predicted that the air quality will remain poor until next Sunday.

According to the forecast, the air quality index (AQI) will range from 111 to 138.

As of 9:32 AM on Monday, the air quality in the Kathmandu Valley stands at 172 AQI. Kathmandu Valley ranks seventh among the most polluted cities in the world.

From a health perspective, the air quality index (AQI) indicates the following: 0–50 AQI is considered good, 51–100 AQI is moderate, and 101–150 AQI is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

When the AQI reaches 151–200, it is considered unhealthy, 201–300 AQI is very unhealthy, and above 301 AQI is considered hazardous, according to the Department of Environment.

The AQI measures the concentration of invisible pollutants in the air, such as particles smaller than 2.5 microns, carbon monoxide, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides.