Kathmandu, April 4 -- Toxic air will shorten children's lives by almost two years and will have the greatest impact in South Asia, according to a special report on global exposure to air pollution and its disease burden, published by the US-based Health Effects Institute.

According to the report, Nepal has the highest levels of air pollution--100 ?g/m3--in the world where annual exposure to PM2.5 particulate matter can cause breathing difficulties and cardiovascular issues followed by India (91 ?g/m3), Bangladesh (61 ?g/m3) and Pakistan (58 ?g/m3).

In the past few years, pollution levels have peaked at unhealthy and hazardous levels in the Kathmandu Valley, increasing health risks for citizens. Particulate matter can be both solid and l...