"pollution layer"

#13439095

13 Mar 2026

A dense layer of smog engulfs the Kathmandu Valley in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 13, 2026. Air pollution intensifies across the bowl-shaped capital, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuating between 200 and 250, placing the city in the ''very unhealthy'' category and among the world's most polluted cities, according to data from the air quality monitoring platform IQAir's AirVisual. Measurements show fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at 129.9 micrograms per cubic meter--more than 25 times higher than the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization--while PM10 levels reach 100.3 ug/m3. Nepal's national AQI scale classifies readings above 200 as very unhealthy and levels exceeding 300 as hazardous. The Ministry of Health and Population advises residents to take protective measures, noting that long-term exposure to polluted air can lead to serious health complications including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Studies on air pollution also link prolonged exposure to increased risks of diabetes, reduced lung function, and premature death.

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#13439096

13 Mar 2026

A dense layer of smog engulfs the Kathmandu Valley in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 13, 2026. Air pollution intensifies across the bowl-shaped capital, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuating between 200 and 250, placing the city in the ''very unhealthy'' category and among the world's most polluted cities, according to data from the air quality monitoring platform IQAir's AirVisual. Measurements show fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at 129.9 micrograms per cubic meter--more than 25 times higher than the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization--while PM10 levels reach 100.3 ug/m3. Nepal's national AQI scale classifies readings above 200 as very unhealthy and levels exceeding 300 as hazardous. The Ministry of Health and Population advises residents to take protective measures, noting that long-term exposure to polluted air can lead to serious health complications including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Studies on air pollution also link prolonged exposure to increased risks of diabetes, reduced lung function, and premature death.

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#13439098

13 Mar 2026

A dense layer of smog engulfs the Kathmandu Valley in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 13, 2026. Air pollution intensifies across the bowl-shaped capital, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuating between 200 and 250, placing the city in the ''very unhealthy'' category and among the world's most polluted cities, according to data from the air quality monitoring platform IQAir's AirVisual. Measurements show fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at 129.9 micrograms per cubic meter--more than 25 times higher than the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization--while PM10 levels reach 100.3 ug/m3. Nepal's national AQI scale classifies readings above 200 as very unhealthy and levels exceeding 300 as hazardous. The Ministry of Health and Population advises residents to take protective measures, noting that long-term exposure to polluted air can lead to serious health complications including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Studies on air pollution also link prolonged exposure to increased risks of diabetes, reduced lung function, and premature death.

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#13435203

12 Mar 2026

A thick layer of polluted haze covers Kathmandu Valley as seen from a hill station in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 12, 2026. The city's Air Quality Index ranges between 200 to 250 in the "very unhealthy" category, well above the threshold of 150 that is considered unhealthy and past the 200 mark that signals very unhealthy air. Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, the most dangerous category of airborne pollutant due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs, records at 129.9 micrograms per cubic meter, more than 25 times the World Health Organization's recommended safe limit of 5 ug/m3. Coarse particulate matter, PM10, stands at 100.3 ug/m3. Under Nepal's government-approved Air Quality Index scale, a reading of 0 to 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and anything above 300 hazardous. The Ministry of Health and Population urges all residents to take precautions. According to the ministry, prolonged exposure to air pollution can cause serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, lungs, eyes, and kidneys, and can contribute to conditions including asthma and cancer.

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#13435204

12 Mar 2026

A thick layer of polluted haze covers Kathmandu Valley as seen from a hill station in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 12, 2026. The city's Air Quality Index ranges between 200 to 250 in the "very unhealthy" category, well above the threshold of 150 that is considered unhealthy and past the 200 mark that signals very unhealthy air. Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, the most dangerous category of airborne pollutant due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs, records at 129.9 micrograms per cubic meter, more than 25 times the World Health Organization's recommended safe limit of 5 ug/m3. Coarse particulate matter, PM10, stands at 100.3 ug/m3. Under Nepal's government-approved Air Quality Index scale, a reading of 0 to 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and anything above 300 hazardous. The Ministry of Health and Population urges all residents to take precautions. According to the ministry, prolonged exposure to air pollution can cause serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, lungs, eyes, and kidneys, and can contribute to conditions including asthma and cancer.

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#13435205

12 Mar 2026

A thick layer of polluted haze covers Kathmandu Valley as seen from a hill station in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 12, 2026. The city's Air Quality Index ranges between 200 to 250 in the "very unhealthy" category, well above the threshold of 150 that is considered unhealthy and past the 200 mark that signals very unhealthy air. Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, the most dangerous category of airborne pollutant due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs, is recorded at 129.9 micrograms per cubic meter, more than 25 times the World Health Organization's recommended safe limit of 5 ug/m3. Coarse particulate matter, PM10, stands at 100.3 ug/m3. Under Nepal's government-approved Air Quality Index scale, a reading of 0 to 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and anything above 300 hazardous. The Ministry of Health and Population urges all residents to take precautions. According to the ministry, prolonged exposure to air pollution can cause serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, lungs, eyes, and kidneys, and can contribute to conditions including asthma and cancer.

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#13228871

22 Jan 2026

KRAKOW, POLAND – JANUARY 22: An information board displays very high PM10 air pollution levels, showing a reading of 144, in the center of Krakow, Poland, on January 22, 2026. A thick layer of smog persisted throughout the day as air quality indicators reached 'Very Unhealthy' levels, varying by location across the city, with some areas recording AQI readings above 190 and other monitoring stations reporting values between 150 and over 200, ranking Krakow again among the world’s most polluted cities on the date.

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#13228879

22 Jan 2026

KRAKOW, POLAND – JANUARY 22: An information board displays very high PM10 air pollution levels, showing a reading of 144, in the center of Krakow, Poland, on January 22, 2026. A thick layer of smog persisted throughout the day as air quality indicators reached 'Very Unhealthy' levels, varying by location across the city, with some areas recording AQI readings above 190 and other monitoring stations reporting values between 150 and over 200, ranking Krakow again among the world’s most polluted cities on the date.

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#13228888

22 Jan 2026

KRAKOW, POLAND – JANUARY 22: An information board displays very high PM10 air pollution levels, showing a reading of 144, in the center of Krakow, Poland, on January 22, 2026. A thick layer of smog persisted throughout the day as air quality indicators reached 'Very Unhealthy' levels, varying by location across the city, with some areas recording AQI readings above 190 and other monitoring stations reporting values between 150 and over 200, ranking Krakow again among the world’s most polluted cities on the date.

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#13220693

20 Jan 2026

KRAKOW, POLAND, JANUARY 20: View of Krakow's suburban district skyline obscured by heavy air pollution, seen from Krakus Mound, during very high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 air pollution in Krakow, Poland, on January 20, 2026. A thick layer of smog persisted throughout the day as air quality indicators reached 'Very Unhealthy' levels (AQI over 200), ranking the city among the world's most polluted for the date.

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#13220722

20 Jan 2026

KRAKOW, POLAND, JANUARY 20: The city of Krakow introduced free public transport as air pollution exceeded safety limits, during very high levels of PM10 air pollution in Krakow, Poland, on January 20, 2026. A thick layer of smog persisted throughout the day as air quality indicators reached 'Very Unhealthy' levels (AQI over 200), ranking the city among the world's most polluted for the date.

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#13220689

20 Jan 2026

KRAKOW, POLAND, JANUARY 20: A view over Krakow seen from Krakus Mound, during a very high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 air pollution in Krakow, Poland, on January 20, 2026. A thick layer of smog persisted throughout the day as air quality indicators reached 'Very Unhealthy' levels (AQI over 200), ranking the city among the world's most polluted for the date.

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#13220690

20 Jan 2026

KRAKOW, POLAND, JANUARY 20: View of Krakow's suburban district skyline obscured by heavy air pollution, seen from Krakus Mound, during very high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 air pollution in Krakow, Poland, on January 20, 2026. A thick layer of smog persisted throughout the day as air quality indicators reached 'Very Unhealthy' levels (AQI over 200), ranking the city among the world's most polluted for the date.

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#13220691

20 Jan 2026

KRAKOW, POLAND, JANUARY 20: A view over Krakow seen from Krakus Mound, during a very high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 air pollution in Krakow, Poland, on January 20, 2026. A thick layer of smog persisted throughout the day as air quality indicators reached 'Very Unhealthy' levels (AQI over 200), ranking the city among the world's most polluted for the date.

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#13220692

20 Jan 2026

KRAKOW, POLAND, JANUARY 20: A view over Krakow seen from Krakus Mound, during a very high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 air pollution in Krakow, Poland, on January 20, 2026. A thick layer of smog persisted throughout the day as air quality indicators reached 'Very Unhealthy' levels (AQI over 200), ranking the city among the world's most polluted for the date.

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#13220701

20 Jan 2026

KRAKOW, POLAND, JANUARY 20: An information board displays high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 air pollution in Krakow, Poland, on January 20, 2026. A thick layer of smog persisted throughout the day as air quality indicators reached 'Very Unhealthy' levels (AQI over 200), ranking the city among the world's most polluted for the date.

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