Air pollution: Kabul residents asked to stay indoors

KABUL (Pajhwok): Amid increasing air pollution, the government has asked Kabul residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary movement and not to leave homes without wearing masks.

The Ministry of Public Health also advised the greater use of vegetables, fruits and liquids during the current weather conditions, causing a spike in air pollution.

The ministry shared on X a set of recommendations, saying “Avoid unnecessary trips in the city, use a mask when going out, take a shower after reaching home and use public transport as much as possible to reduce air pollution.”

Meanwhile, the State Ministry for Natural Disaster Management also wrote on X the air pollution was created by burning low-quality fuel and other items, such as firewood, waste of agricultural products and other things for cooking and heating during winter.

The ministry advised people to eat healthy food such as fruits, vegetables, omega-3, vitamin D supplements, milk and dairy products when the air was polluted.

Additionally, the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), said it monitored 199 different industries, including high-rise buildings, public baths, restaurants, bakeries and wedding halls in a bid to check air pollution in Kabul in the winter season.

The agency closed a bath and took commitment from owners of the four-storey house that they would no longer burn low-quality fuel.

sa/mud