An oxygen mask is pictured close to Zikula, eight-months-old suffering from pneumonia, in a hospital in Kabul
An oxygen mask is pictured close to Zikula, eight-months-old suffering from pneumonia, in a hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, January 29, 2020. Kabul, a city of some 6 million, ranks as one of the most polluted cities in the world – contesting amongst other polluted capitals such as India's New Delhi or China's Beijing. There are no official statistics on how many people in Afghanistan die of pollution related health diseases. However, the research group State of Global Air, that offers analysis on levels and trends in air quality and health for countries around the world, offers a bleak picture. The group said that more than 26,000 deaths in 2017 in Afghanistan can be attributed to pollution. In contrast, according to the United Nations, 3,483 civilians have been killed the same year by the ongoing war in the country. Over the long term, exposure to air pollution increases a person's chance of developing and dying from heart disease, respiratory diseased, lung infections, lung cancer, diabetes and other health complications. It has been proven that even short-term exposure to high levels of pollution can trigger asthma and cause a drastic increase in hospitalisations. Children under five and the elderly are at particular risk of becoming sick in an air polluted environment. Pollution in Afghanistan in recent years reportedly killed more people than the current civil war in the country. The research group State of Global Air, that offers analysis on levels and trends in air quality and health for countries around the world, offers a bleak picture. The group said that more than 26,000 deaths in 2017 in Afghanistan can be attributed to pollution. In contrast, according to the United Nations, 3,483 civilians have been killed the same year by the ongoing war in the country.
