"Fine Particles"

#13439095

13 March 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 March 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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#13439097

13 March 2026

Swayambhunath temple appears faintly in the distance as thick smog blankets the Kathmandu Valley in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 13, 2026. The capital experiences severe air pollution, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging between 200 and 250, placing it in the ''very unhealthy'' category and ranking Kathmandu among the world's most polluted cities, according to the air quality monitoring platform IQAir's AirVisual. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the most dangerous airborne pollutant because it can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, is recorded at 129.9 micrograms per cubic meter--more than 25 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended safe limit of 5 ug/m3--while PM10 levels stand at 100.3 ug/m3. Under Nepal's government-approved AQI scale, readings above 200 indicate very unhealthy conditions. The Ministry of Health and Population urges residents to take precautions, warning that prolonged exposure to polluted air can damage the heart, blood vessels, lungs, eyes, and kidneys, and may contribute to illnesses including asthma, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular disease, stroke, lung cancer, and other respiratory infections. Research shows that sustained exposure to high levels of particulate pollution significantly increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly among children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions.

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#13439098

13 March 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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#12151126

12 March 2025

A view of the waxing crescent moon is covered with a thick haze of fine dust particles in a country village in Sangju, South Korea, on March 13, 2025. Environmental authorities enforce emergency emission reduction measures in South Korea for the first time this year due to heavy ultrafine dust concentrations.

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#12151127

12 March 2025

A view of the waxing crescent moon is covered with a thick haze of fine dust particles in a country village in Sangju, South Korea, on March 13, 2025. Environmental authorities enforce emergency emission reduction measures in South Korea for the first time this year due to heavy ultrafine dust concentrations.

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#11971167

22 January 2025

Motorists drive through traffic as high-rise buildings are shrouded by an unhealthy level of particle air pollution in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 22, 2025. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt urges people to work from home on January 22 and 24 to cope with PM2.5 fine dust air pollution, which has been increasing continuously for several days to unhealthy levels.

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#11971169

22 January 2025

Pedestrians wear face masks as they walk on a street in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 10, 2025. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt urges people to work from home on January 22 and 24 to cope with PM2.5 fine dust air pollution, which increases continuously for several days to unhealthy levels.

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#11971172

22 January 2025

Motorists drive through traffic as high-rise buildings are shrouded by an unhealthy level of particle air pollution in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 22, 2025. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt urges people to work from home on January 22 and 24 to cope with PM2.5 fine dust air pollution, which has been increasing continuously for several days to unhealthy levels.

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#11971174

22 January 2025

Pedestrians wear face masks as they walk on a street in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 10, 2025. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt urges people to work from home on January 22 and 24 to cope with PM2.5 fine dust air pollution, which increases continuously for several days to unhealthy levels.

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#11115233

2 April 2024

The quality of air in Kyiv, Ukraine, is worsening on April 2, 2024, due to an increase in the concentration of fine dust brought from the Mediterranean region along with a heatwave.

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#11115234

2 April 2024

The quality of air in Kyiv, Ukraine, is worsening on April 2, 2024, due to an increase in the concentration of fine dust brought from the Mediterranean region along with a heatwave.

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#11115235

2 April 2024

The quality of air in Kyiv, Ukraine, is worsening on April 2, 2024, due to an increase in the concentration of fine dust brought from the Mediterranean region along with a heatwave.

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#11115236

2 April 2024

The quality of air in Kyiv, Ukraine, is worsening on April 2, 2024, due to an increase in the concentration of fine dust brought from the Mediterranean region along with a heatwave.

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#9745768

14 March 2023

A general view shows high-rise buildings amid smoggy conditions due to air pollution in Bangkok, Thailand, 14 March 2023. Severe air pollution, mainly caused by fine particulate matter PM2.5 dust particles exceeding safe levels, returned to engulf Bangkok and several other Thai provinces.

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#9745766

14 March 2023

A general view shows high-rise buildings amid smoggy conditions due to air pollution in Bangkok, Thailand, 14 March 2023. Severe air pollution, mainly caused by fine particulate matter PM2.5 dust particles exceeding safe levels, returned to engulf Bangkok and several other Thai provinces.

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