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- Air pollution in Tashkent
Problems
Air pollution in Tashkent
According to a device installed at the US Embassy in Tashkent, the city's air is becoming increasingly polluted. In recent years, phrases such as climate change, global warming, ozone depletion, drying up of the Aral Sea have become part of our daily life, and the number of such threats is growing. One of the key indicators of climate change is an Air Quality Index (AQI) that is measured by calculating the amount of dust and other trace elements in the air.
Causes of air pollution in Tashkent
Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, has several sources of air pollution. The main causes of air pollution in Tashkent include: ● Industrial Emissions: Tashkent has a significant industrial sector, manufacturing facilities and power plants. Industrial emissions such as smoke, gases and particulate matter contribute to urban air pollution. ● Emissions from vehicles: Like many urban areas, Tashkent faces problems with traffic congestion and a large number of vehicles. Exhaust emissions from cars, trucks and motorcycles release pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) into the air, contributing to air pollution. ● Electricity generation: Power plants, including coal-fired and natural gas-fired power plants, can contribute to air pollution if they do not take adequate emission control measures. These power plants emit air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter. ● Natural factors: Tashkent's geographic location and weather conditions may contribute to air pollution. For example, temperature inversions can trap pollutants close to the ground, resulting in higher levels of pollution. The severity and impact of these pollution sources can change over time and depend on factors such as weather conditions, industrial activity and urban development.
Health impact of air pollution in Tashkent
Air pollution in Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan, can have significant health impacts on the population. Health effects associated with air pollution: ● Air pollution in Tashkent can lead to respiratory issues such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and exacerbation of asthma symptoms. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) can irritate the respiratory system and cause inflammation in the airways. ● Cardiovascular diseases: Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure. Fine particulate matter and other pollutants can enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation, oxidative stress, and damage to blood vessels. ● Increased risk of lung cancer: Prolonged exposure to air pollutants, particularly fine particulate matter and certain carcinogenic pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde, can raise the risk of developing lung cancer. ● Allergies and respiratory infections: Air pollution can worsen allergic reactions and increase the prevalence of respiratory infections. Pollutants can weaken the immune system and make individuals more susceptible to respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinus infections. Efforts to reduce air pollution, such as implementing stricter emission controls, promoting cleaner transportation, and increasing green spaces, can help mitigate these health risks.
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Timelines
2023
October 28
The concentration of the main pollutant air PM2.5 in Tashkent is currently 10.5 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value. Live aqi index - Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups.
September
It has been officially announced that air pollution in Tashkent has reached levels hazardous to health. Tashkent was shrouded in a dusty haze. The capital of Uzbekistan ranks second in terms of air pollution among cities in the world in the IQAir ranking. Uzhydromet reported that air dust in the city has reached a “harmful” level in terms of PM 2.5.
April 10
The month of "Clean Air" was announced in Uzbekistan. The goal of the event, carried out by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Health, is to reduce the emissions of vehicles on the environment and human health, as well as to comply with the requirements of the legislation on permissible air pollution. In recent years, the increase in the number of manufacturing enterprises, and cars causes a significant increase in the number of emissions into the atmosphere. This, in turn, contributes to an increase in the level of air pollution in the country, especially in the city of Tashkent. To date, there are about 4 million vehicles in the country, of which 100 thousand are out of order. Of these, an average of 1.3 million tons of harmful emissions are emitted into the atmosphere per year, which is 63% of the total emissions (in Tashkent this figure is 88%). During the event, environmental monitoring of the amount of harmful gases emitted into the air by vehicles running on gasoline, diesel fuel, and compressed natural and liquefied gas will be carried out with special equipment at all road patrol points of the republic, and on central streets. Within the framework of the month, inspection points will be organized at 79 road patrol facilities, as well as mobile posts on the central streets of regions and cities, which will involve 500 employees. The event will run until 10 May.
2022
The capital took 20th place in the ranking of the International Air Pollution Index. As a result of the daily increase in the number of vehicles, emissions increased by 26.0 thousand tons compared to the previous year. The main reasons include the quality of the type of fuel used, insufficient use of public transport by the population, driving their vehicles, and insufficient attention of car owners to the technical parameters of their vehicles.
2021
September 11
As a result of dust storms and haze, atmospheric visibility in Syrdarya and Tashkent regions decreased to 500-1000 m, in Tashkent - to 200 m.Similar phenomena were recorded in Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Navoi and Samarkand regions, where visibility does not rise above 1000 m. "The results showed that the dust contains a large number of particles up to 5 microns in size. Analysis of the presence of 42 types of pesticides in the dust by gas chromatography showed their complete absence in the selected samples," the Center for Advanced Technologies noted.
2018
July 03
in Tashkent, the US State Department installed an AQI air quality monitor The air quality in Tashkent is better than that in some neighboring countries and for approximately six months of the year, especially in spring and early summer, it ranges from the “good” to “moderate” categories, meaning it poses little or no risk to people.
2015
June 02
Emissions of air pollutants have been reduced considerably in the UNECE region over the past few decades as a result of integrated air pollution management strategies developed under the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Air Convention). However, as evidenced by recent research on the impact of air pollution on health, further efforts are badly needed. UNECE has therefore been assisting countries in the subregion to develop better emission inventories with a view to facilitating their ratification and/or implementation of the Air Convention and its key protocols.