Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ambient air quality of Kathmandu valley as reflected by atmospheric particulate matter concentrations (PM10)

  • Published:
International Journal of Environmental Science & Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents the analysis and interpretation of ambient particulate matter concentrations measured as PM10 at a network of six air monitoring stations in Kathmandu valley during the years, 2003 through 2005. The purpose was to understand the pollution trends associated with different areas considering levels particulate matter concentrations representing the ambient air quality of Kathmandu valley. The study indicate that particulate concentrations (PM10) measured are persistently higher at air sampling sites representing roadside areas compared to the background sites. The inter-station network variability with respect the particulate pollution suggests optimizing resources. The comparison of annual average PM10 concentration observed at six air-monitoring sites in Kathmandu Valley with standard annual average concentration prescribed by World Health Organization as well as Europe Union indicates serious PM10 pollution in Kathmandu valley.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bates, D. V., Baker-Anderson, M. and Sitzo, R., (1990). Asthma attack periodicity: A study of hospital emergency visits in Vancouver. Environ. Res., 51, 51–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, R. T., Dales, R. E., Krewski, D., Vincent, R., Dann, T. F. and Brook, J. R., (1995). Associations between ambient particulate sulfate and admissions to Ontario hospitals for cardiac and respiratory diseases. Am. J. Epidemiology, 142, 15–22.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • CBS, (2001). National census 2001. Central Bureau of Statistics, His Majesty Government, Nepal.

    Google Scholar 

  • DHM, (1998). Unpublished information on TSP concentrations in the Kathmandu Valley. Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal, Nepal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dockery, D. W., Schwartz, J. and Spengler, J. D., (1992). Air pollution and daily mortality: associations with particulates and acid aerosols. Environ. Res., 59, 362–373.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gautam, C., Sharma, S., and Fuglsang, K., (2004). Air quality monitoring and management in Kathmandu, Nepal.

  • International Conference on Better Air Quality Management in Asia (BAQ 2004), December 2004, Agra, India

  • Grivas, G., Chaloulakou, A., Samara, C. and Spyrellis, N., (2004). Spatial and temporal variation of PM10 mass concentrations within the greater area of Athens, Greece. Water, Air, Soil Pollut, 158, 357–371.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kuang-Ling Y., (2002). Spatial and seasonal variation of PM10 mass concentrations in Taiwan. Atmos. Environ., 36, 3403–3411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morawska, L., Vishvakarman, D., Mengersen, K. and Tomas, S., (2002). Spatial variation of airborne pollutant concentrations in Brisbane, Australia and its potential impact on population exposure assessment. Atmos. Environ., 36, 3545–3555.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ostro, B. D., Lopsett, M. J., Wiener, M. B. and Selner, J. C., (1991). Asthmatic response to airborne acid aerosol. Am. J. Public Health, 81, 694–702.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pope, C. A., Thun, M. J., Namboodira, M., Dockery, D. W., Evans, J. S., Speizer, F. E. and Heath C. W. Jr., (1995). Particulate air pollution as a predictor of mortality in a prospective study of U.S. adults. Am. J. Resp. Crit. Care Medicine, 151, 669–674.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roemer, W., Hoek, G. and Brunkreef, B., (1993). Effect of ambient winter air pollution on respiratory health of children with chronic respiratory symptoms. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis., 147, 118–124.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, J., Slater, D., Larson, T. V., Pierson, W. E. and Koeing, J. Q., (1993). Particulate air pollution and hospital emergency visits for asthma in Seattle. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis., 147, 826–831.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thurston, G. D., Kazuhiko, I., Kinney, P. L. and Lippmann, M., (1992). A multi-year study of airpollution and respiratory hospital admissions in three New York state metropolitan areas: Result for 1 988 to 1 989 summers. J. Exp. Anal. Envir. Epidem., 2, 429–449.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • URBAIR (1997), Urban air quality management strategy in asia: Kathmandu Valley Report. World Bank Technical Paper No. 378, Washington D.C., USA

  • WHO, (1999). Guidelines for air quality. Geneva. World Health Organization, http://www.who.int/peh/air/airguides2.htm

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematical Sciences, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Kathmandu, Nepal

    D. Giri

  2. Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Kathmandu, Nepal

    K. V. Murthy

  3. Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Kathmandu, Nepal

    P. R. Adhikary

  4. Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Kathmandu, Nepal

    S. N. Khanal

Authors
  1. D. Giri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. V. Murthy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. R. Adhikary
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. N. Khanal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. V. Murthy.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Giri, D., Murthy, K., Adhikary, P.R. et al. Ambient air quality of Kathmandu valley as reflected by atmospheric particulate matter concentrations (PM10). Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 3, 403–410 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325949

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325949

Keywords

Search

Navigation