Air pollution increases prevalence of respiratory diseases

KABUL (SW) – Officials at the Indira Gandhi Children’s Health Hospital in Kabul say that air pollution has increased the prevalence of respiratory diseases among the residents of the capital, especially children.

Saifullah Abbasin, the head of the respiratory department at the hospital, told Salam Watandar that at the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, due to air pollution, the number of children’s illnesses and their deaths have increased.

“We are witnessing a 90 percent increase in children’s illnesses and deaths.”

With the cooling of the air and the excessive use of coal, wood and other smoke-producing materials, the air in Kabul has become deadly polluted these days.

Rafiullah, a resident of Kabul, complaining about air pollution in recent days, said that air pollution in winter every year causes many problems.

“High-rise buildings use coal without purification devices and They pollute the air.”

Peyman Mohammadi, another resident of Kabul, said that every year after the weather gets cold, the air pollution also affects the atmosphere of Kabul and makes people suffer from many diseases.

Meanwhile, Engineer Naseer, head of air and environmental pollution control of the National Environmental Protection Agency, said the natural factors of climate change and the geographical location of Afghanistan, as well as the use of low-quality fuel in vehicles and the high use of coal in residential areas without a filter have caused air pollution.

Kabul Municipality officials say that it has taken measures to control air and environmental pollution in Kabul three months ago.

Nematullah Barakzai, the representative of the KM told Salam Watandar preparations have been made three months before winter, and the mobile teams are seriously implementing it.

ENDS

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