Air Pollution
by Abdullah Qazi
last updated on September 21, 2008
Due to cost and pretty much little other alternatives, Afghans are
forced to burn wood in order to keep warm and to cook their food. This,
along with the fact that a large number of vehicles (many old and poorly
maintained) in Afghanistan run on poor quality fuels, air pollution has
become a problem in Afghanistan's major urban areas - like in the city of
Kabul where it is clearly visible. In fact, a recent study revealed that
60% of Kabul's residents are exposed to increased levels of harmful toxins
such as nitrous oxides, and sulfur dioxide. Moreover, as more
refugees from such places as Pakistan and Iran return, many of these
people will most likely move to the urban areas, and with an increase in
population comes more pollution. As a result of the increase air
pollution, city residents have had increased asthma attacks as well as
respiratory diseases. The government needs to develop a robust strategy of
air monitoring, and come up with ways of reducing the amount of air pollution.
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