The citizens explained that since the price of wood remains high and gas is increasingly unaffordable, they are forced to use charcoal, which causes air pollution and health problems.

The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) also expressed concern about the use of coal in buildings, as the possibility of concentrated emissions of pollutants is higher in these areas.

The price of wood is high now, while that of coal is a bit fair, so people use that fuel now, mainly in the areas of buildings that use coal during the cold season, NEPA chief Sayed Qayom Hashimi said.

Kabul municipality directed that those who use coal should install filters in their buildings to avoid air pollution.

According to the Ministry of Public Health more than 7,500 people die annually in the country due to pneumonia, and one of the main causes is pollution.

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