In another ongoing study, she is measuring levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2
) across the urban areas in Kathmandu Valley. Measuring NO2
is an attractive option, she says, because of its low sampling costs, ease of measurement, and its wide use as a surrogate for traffic exposure.
Anobha Gurung says her research has been inspired by the work of Michelle Bell
, a F&ES professor of environmental health whose research group is exploring the links between pollution and human health by integrating various disciplines, including epidemiology, biostatistics, and environmental engineering.
Bell, who is now her advisor, says Gurung’s research is providing the best information to date on how air pollution affects health in Kathmandu. Collection of that data has involved working with a range of community members.
“She recognizes the need to coordinate with in-country researchers as well as local communities and has established an incredibly strong network of local collaborators and stakeholders,” Bell said. “Her work has tremendous potential to improve public health.”
arlier this winter, Gurung started the fieldwork for her latest study, installing 135 monitors over two weeks outside residential homes and commercial shops in urban areas across Kathmandu Valley. She’ll repeat the process three times this year for each season, creating a valuable model to understand exposure to traffic-related pollution.
“This work is critical for future epidemiological studies, identification of hotspots, and effective policies for air pollution control and human health protection,” she says. “A goal of this project is to develop a flexible methodology for exposure assessment suitable for Asian cities like Kathmandu making use of readily available data and cost effective technologies, helping to provide framework for future research in areas with limited resources.”