Afghanistan: Mazar-e-Sharif’s air pollution

Sibghatullah Turan, a resident of Mazar said: “Factories and bathhouses near the city are using low-quality fuel, which has severely polluted the air and caused many illnesses. We ask the authorities to stop the sources of pollution, control old vehicles, install filters in bathhouses and move factories away from residential areas.”

Another resident, Qais Nikzad said: “Unfortunately, with the arrival of winter, air pollution has increased, causing more people to suffer from respiratory and other illnesses. A major reason for this is the high traffic of outdated vehicles.”

At the same time, doctors in Balkh province warn that rising air pollution in Mazar-e-Sharif poses a serious threat to public health and is contributing to a rise in respiratory illnesses. Local officials in Balkh say they are taking serious steps to prevent further environmental damage and reduce air pollution.