Ambient air quality monitoring results for 2005 show that levels of pollution in the valley remain high, but for two of the pollutants of major concern.
PM10 and benzene - positive trends were observed in 2005. Levels of PM10 were generally reduced 9% in 2005 as compared to the levels in 2004. Because of inavailability of measurements of benzene for summer season in 2004, annual average comparisons with 2005 data was not possible. Measurements for the dry season months of Jan-Mar however showed that the observed concentrations of benzene in 2005 were generally 30% lower as compared to the same 3 months in 2004. Levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) could not be fully evaluated for 2005, as data could not be obtained for the summer season. However, no reduction in NO2 levels could be found during the winter months in 2003/2004 as compared to thewinter months in 2004/2005. As with 2003/2004 data, NO2 remains to be within the annual guidelines of WHO.
Kathmandu, air quality data, ambient, Nepal |
