Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

2026

Dhital, N.B., Yang, H.H., Hsieh*, T.J., Chen, H.W., Huang, S.W., 2026. Effectiveness of motorcycle idle-stop systems in mitigating real-world tailpipe emissions of air pollutants. Emission Control Science and Technology 12, 5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40825-026-00286-x

Dhital, N.B., Sapkota, R.P.*, Pokhrel, C.P., Joshi, G.R., Rijal, K., 2026. Forest fires in the central Himalayas: Causes and impacts on the availability of forest resources across different ecological zones. Society & Natural Resources 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2025.2605552

Louhisalmi, J.*, Rinta-Kiikka, H., Väätäinen, S., Schön, C., Koponen, H., Sippula, O., Dhital, N.B., Krpec, K., Fraboulet, I., Cea, B., Hartmann, H., Tissari, J., 2026. Particulate matter measurement in residential wood combustion: Method comparison and introduction of a novel approach. Fuel 408, 137738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2025.137738 

Yang, H.H., Dhital, N.B.*, Chen, H.W., Hsieh, Y.S., Huang, S.W., 2026. Effects of cabin ventilation on in-vehicle exposure to PM and VOCs in passenger cars. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (Accepted Manuscript In Press). https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2026.2655722

GBD 2023 Asia Chronic Respiratory Disease Collaborators 2026. Burden of chronic respiratory disease in Asia, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine 14, 233–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(25)00404-7

Budha, P.B.*, Bhattarai, D.R., Sapkota, R.P., Dhital, N.B., Pokhrel, C.P., Khadka, U.R., Rijal, K., 2026. Spatial and temporal distribution of wildfires in Nepal Himalayas: A geospatial analysis of Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) satellite data. JTFS 38, 48–64. https://doi.org/10.26525/jtfs2026.38.1.48

2025

Sapkota, R.P.*, Dhital, N.B., Shrestha, A.K., Khadka, U.R., Pokhrel, C.P., Joshi, G.R., Rijal, K., 2025. Forest fire impacts plant community assemblage in different ecological zones of central Himalaya, Nepal. Global Ecology and Conservation 58, e03443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03443

Mahapatra, P.S., Dhital, N.B.*, 2025. Forest fire-induced air pollution events in the Himalayan region: Urgent need for regional collaboration and action. BMC Environmental Science 2, 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s44329-025-00027-5

2024

Dhital, N.B., Sapkota, R.P., Sharjeel, A., Yang, H.H.*, 2024. Estimating potentially preventable ambient PM2.5-attributable adult deaths by improving air quality in Nepal. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 15, 102175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2024.102175

Dhital, N.B.*, 2024. Comparing the characteristics of ambient fine particle pollution episodes across South Asian cities. Environmental Challenges, 15, 100912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2024.100912

Shrestha, A., Dhital, N.B.*, 2024. In-vehicle air quality in public buses during real-world trips in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Environmental Challenges 17, 101054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2024.101054

Yang, H.H., Kumar, A.*, Dhital, N.B., Wang, L., Wu, C., Kamyab, H., Yusuf, M., 2024. Evaluating the feasibility of estimating particulate mass emissions of older-model diesel vehicle using smoke opacity measurements. Scientific Reports 14, 31494. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83327-1

Bhandari, R., Lama, A., Dhital, N.B.*, 2024. Waiting time countdown displays affect the idle-stopping behavior of motorcyclists at signalized traffic intersections. Journal of Environment Sciences 10, 54–62. https://doi.org/10.3126/jes.v10i1.66969

2023

Yang, H.H., Dhital, N.B.*, Lai, Y.H., Chan, T.Y., 2023. Intermodal comparison of commuters' exposure to VOCs between public, private, and active transportation. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 195, 1485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-12125-5

Bhandari, R.*, Dhital, N.B., Rijal, K., 2023. Effect of lockdown and associated mobility changes amid COVID-19 on air quality in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 195, 1337. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-11949-5

Sapkota, R.P.*, Dhital, N.B., Rijal, K., 2023. Fire-mediated biomass loss of woody species seedlings causing demographic bottleneck in the Terai forests of central Nepal. Global Ecology and Conservation, 48, e02705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02705

2022

Dhital, N.B., Bhattarai, D.R., Sapkota, R.P., Rijal, K., Byanju, R.M., Yang, H.H.*, 2022. Comparing the change in air quality during the COVID-19 lockdown between dry and wet seasons in Nepal. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 22, 220201. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.220201

Dhital, N.B., Wang, L.C., Yang, H.H.*, Lee, C.H., Shih, W.H., Wu, C.S., 2022. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on public bus occupancy and real-world tailpipe emissions of gaseous pollutants per passenger kilometer traveled. Sustainable Environment Research, 32, 35. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42834-022-00146-7

Dhital, N.B., Wang, L.C., Yang, H.H.*, Cheruiyot, N.K., Lee, C.H., 2022. Characterizing real-world particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions from diesel-fueled construction machines. Atmosphere, 13, 766. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13050766

Islam, M.R., Li, T., Mahata, K., Khanal, N., Werden, B., Giordano, M.R., Praveen Puppala, S., Dhital, N.B., Gurung, A., Saikawa, E., Panday, A.K., Yokelson, R.J., DeCarlo, P.F., Stone, E.A.*, 2022. Wintertime air quality across the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: Concentration, composition, and sources of fine and coarse particulate matter. ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, 6, 2955–2971. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.2c00243

Sapkota, H., Dhital, N.B., Manandhar, R., Sapkota, R.P.*, 2022. Vegetation assemblage and carbon stock in the sacred groves of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Journal of Environment Sciences, 8, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3126/jes.v8i1.53649

2021

Dhital, N.B., Wang, S.X., Lee, C.H., Su, J., Tsai, M.Y., Jhou, Y.J., Yang, H.H.*, 2021. Effects of driving behavior on real-world emissions of particulate matter, gaseous pollutants and particle-bound PAHs for diesel trucks. Environmental Pollution, 286, 117292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117292

Yang, H.H., Dhital, N.B.*, Cheruiyot, N.K., Wang, L.C., Wang, S.X., 2021. Effects of road grade on real-world tailpipe emissions of regulated gaseous pollutants and volatile organic compounds for a Euro 5 motorcycle. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 12, 101167.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2021.101167

Islam, M.R., Li, T., Mahata, K., Khanal, N., Werden, B., Giordano, M.R., Praveen, P.S., Dhital, N.B., Gurung, A., Panday, A.K., Joshi, I.B., Poudel, S.P., Wang, Y., Saikawa, E., Yokelson, R.J., DeCarlo, P.F., Stone, E.A.*, 2021. Wintertime air quality in Lumbini, Nepal: Sources of fine particle organic carbon. ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, 5, 226–238. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.0c00269

Shrestha, S., Baral, B., Dhital, N.B., Yang, H.H.*, 2021. Assessing air pollution tolerance of plant species in vegetation traffic barriers in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Sustainable Environment Research, 31, 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42834-020-00076-2

2020

Yang, H.H., Dhital, N.B.*, Wang, Y.F., Huang, S.C., Zhang, H.Y., 2020. Effects of short-duration vehicular traffic control on volatile organic compounds in roadside atmosphere. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 11, 419–428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2019.11.016

Yang, H.H., Gupta, S.K.*, Dhital, N.B., 2020. Emission factor, relative ozone formation potential and relative carcinogenic risk assessment of VOCs emitted from manufacturing industries. Sustainable Environment Research, 30, 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42834-020-00068-2

Yang, H.H., Gupta, S.K.*, Dhital, N.B., Wang, L.C., Elumalai, S.P., 2020. Comparative investigation of coal- and oil-fired boilers based on emission factors, ozone and secondary organic aerosol formation potentials of VOCs. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 92, 245–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2020.02.024 

2019

Dhital, N.B., Yang, H.H.*, Wang, L.C., Hsu, Y.T., Zhang, H.Y., Young, L.H., Lu, J.H., 2019. VOCs emission characteristics in motorcycle exhaust with different emission control devices. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 10, 1498–1506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2019.04.007

Yang, H.H., Dhital, N.B.*, Wang, L.C., Hsieh, Y.S., Lee, K.T., Hsu, Y.T., Huang, S.C., 2019. Chemical characterization of fine particulate matter in gasoline and diesel vehicle exhaust. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 19, 1439–1449. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2019.04.0191

Yang, H.H., Gupta, S.K.*, Dhital, N.B., Lee, K.T., Hsieh, Y.S., Huang, S.C., 2019. Establishment of indicatory metals for filterable and condensable PM2.5 emitted from important stationary emission sources. Energy & Fuels, 33, 10878–10887. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.9b02889

2014

Dhital, N.B.*, Hung, W.T., Byanju, R.M., 2014. Air pollution inside public transport vehicles of Kathmandu Valley. Nepal Journal of Environmental Science, 2, 35–41. https://doi.org/10.3126/njes.v2i0.22739

*Corresponding Author

Dhital, N.B., Yang, H.H., 2023. Estimating Preventable PM2.5-Attributable Premature Deaths by Improving Air Quality in Nepal. 2023 IEEE 5th International Conference on Architecture, Construction, Environment and Hydraulics, Chaoyang University of Technology. Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung City, Taiwan, & Online. 1–3 December 2023. (Oral presentation/Online)

Dhital, N.B., Wang, S.X., Hsieh, Y.S., Lee, C.H., Zhang, H.Y., Tsai, S., Su, J., Hsu, C.Y., Tsai, M.Y., Hsu, C.H., Jhou, Y.J., Yang, H.H., 2020. Investigating the effects of driving behavior and routes on the real-world emission of particulate and gaseous air pollutants from heavy-duty diesel trucks using a PEMS. 27th International Conference on Aerosol Science and Technology and Conference on Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Air Quality Improvement, Taiwan Association of Aerosol Research (TAAR). National Yunlin University of Science & Technology, Yunlin, Taiwan., September 25-26, 2020, Oral presentation.

Dhital, N.B., Yang, H.H., 2020. Real-world emission factors of particulate and gaseous air pollutants for the construction equipment operated in a typical brick factory. Air Pollution Control Technology Conference, Chinese Institute of Environmental Engineering. National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, November 27-28, 2020, Oral presentation.

Dhital, N.B., Lee, K.T., Huang, S.C., Hsieh, Y.S., Zhang, H.Y., Yang, H.H., 2019. Effects of short-duration vehicular traffic control on roadside concentrations of volatile organic compounds. Air Pollution Control Technology Conference. Chinese Institute of Environmental Engineering. Hungkuang University of Science and Technology, Taichung, Taiwan, November 22-23, 2019, Poster presentation. 

Dhital, N.B., Hung, W.T., Lee, S.C., 2014. Air quality and drivers’ health in public buses of Kathmandu Valley. Integrated Conference of Better Air Quality 2014 and Intergovernmental 8th Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport Forum in Asia, Clean Air Asia. Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Colombo, Sri Lanka, September 19-21, 2014, Poster presentation. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.26765.44002

Air pollution and health impact in Nepal. Regional Workshop: Interlinkages between health impacts of air pollution and inclusivity. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Health Effects Institute (HEI). ICIMOD Headquarters, Lalitpur, Nepal. 15–16 August 2024. Event Link

Public bus ridership and air pollutant emissions during COVID-19 pandemic. International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. Integrated Land Ecosystem Atmosphere Processes Study-iLEAPS. Online Seminar, 5 September 2022.

Intermodal comparison of commuters' exposure between active and motorized modes of transportation. Pralad Yonzon Conservation Forum-115. Resources Himalaya Foundation. Kathmandu, Nepal, 10 November 2022.

Editorial Board Member - Indoor Air

Editorial Board Member - Discover Atmosphere

Editorial Board Member - BMC Environmental Science

Lead Guest Editor - Special issue on 'Health Impact of Indoor Air Pollution' (Indoor Air, Wiley)

Peer Reviewer - Serving as a peer reviewer for the following journals (>100 verified peer review records in the Web of Science profile): 

• Environmental Pollution (Elsevier)

• Atmospheric Environment (Elsevier)

• Atmospheric Pollution Research (Elsevier)

• Journal of Cleaner Production (Elsevier)

• Journal of Environmental Management (Elsevier) 

• Environmental Science & Ecotechnology (Elsevier)

• Environmental and Sustainability Indicators (Elsevier)

• Environmental Research (Elsevier)

• Cleaner Energy Systems (Elsevier)

• Environmental Challenges (Elsevier)

• Heliyon (Cell Press / Elsevier)

• Environmental Processes (Springer Nature)

• Sustainable Environment Research (BMC / Chinese Institute of Environmental Engineering)

• Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio)

• npj Clean Air (Nature Portfolio)

• Environmental Sciences Europe (Springer Nature)

• Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (Springer Nature)

• Discover Cities (Springer Nature)

• Discover Atmosphere (Springer Nature)

• Aerosol and Air Quality Research (Springer Nature, TAAR)

• Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts (The Royal Society of Chemistry)

• Journal of Advanced Transportation (Wiley)

• PLOS One

• Atmosphere (MDPI)

• Energies (MDPI)

• International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (MDPI)

• Applied Sciences (MDPI)

• Sustainability (MDPI)

• International Journal of Applied Science and Engineering (Chaoyang University of Technology)

• Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa (Taylor & Francis / Royal Society of South Africa)

• Environmental Research and Technology (Yildiz Technical University)

Organizing Committee Member - The 2024 International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environmental Technology for Circular Economy SEECE, 4—6 August 2024. Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand. 

Scientific Committee Member - 11th Graduate Conference - Himalayan Knowledge Conclave, 5—6 April 2025. Nepal Open University, Lalitpur, Nepal. 

Small Research Development and Innovation Grant awarded by University Grants Commission - Nepal (Grant Number: SRDIG-79/80-S&T-03), 2023

Project Title: Investigating In-Cabin Air Quality and Ventilation in Public Buses in the Kathmandu Valley (view the related publication)