Most residents of the Kathmandu Valley consider air pollution a serious health risk, but many rely on what they see, smell or feel to judge how polluted the air is, according to a survey by Taza Initiative Nepal.
The survey of 1,200 residents found that 94.1 percent of those who monitor air quality rely on their senses rather than data to assess pollution levels. The findings, reported by Republica, highlight a gap between how residents assess air quality and the use of measured information.
How residents assess air quality
The finding applies to respondents who monitor air quality. Rather than using data, most in this group judge pollution through their senses, the survey found.
Air pollution seen as a serious health risk
Despite this reliance on personal observation, most residents surveyed considered air pollution a serious health risk. The results underscore the contrast between widespread concern about pollution and the ways people determine its severity.
