The heating season has ended, offering a glimmer of hope for residents of Central Asian capitals who yearn for clean air. But is clear air a reality, or a distant dream? Imagine a world where cities, not people, wear masks to shield themselves from a shroud of smog. In Central Asia, this dystopian vision is worryingly close to reality. Here, dust storms trade places with coal smoke, blanketing the region in toxic air for most of the year. Let’s delve into the current state of Central Asia’s air quality: will residents be forced to become accustomed to holding their breath and minimizing outdoor time?
A Region Plagued by Air Pollution
Across all five capital cities, air quality falls far short of ideal. PM2.5 levels exceed the WHO’s annual guidelines by a staggering 4.3 to 12.6 times. In fact, the region of Central and South Asia housed 10 of the world’s most polluted cities in 2023. Now, let’s examine each city in detail.
Remember Bishkek, the 2020 “smog champion”? Back then, Bishkek residents were compared to unwitting smokers of 200 cigarettes in one month. But will 2024 tell a different story? Only partly. Recognizing the severity of air pollution, the government took action. In 2023, Bishkek’s average monthly PM2.5 particulate matter pollution dropped by 35% compared to the same period in 2022.
However, there’s a caveat. This decrease is heavily linked to unusually warm temperatures during the heating season. Here’s the rub: weather patterns are unpredictable. An analysis by our NGO MoveGreen revealed how sharp temperature fluctuations in February 2024 led to inversions, trapping pollutants due to factors like urban development. It’s crucial to remember that Bishkek’s air pollution levels remain elevated year-round.” – emphasizes Maria Kolesnikova, chairwoman of MoveGreen, ecoactivist and a UN Earth Champion.
Dushanbe, a city perpetually haunted by dust storms, suffers from polluted air not just in winter. In 2022, residents enjoyed clean air for a mere four days. The situation worsened in 2023, with Tajikistan placing within the top 5 most polluted countries according to the World Air Quality Report. The country’s annual average PM2.5 concentration is a shocking 9 times higher than the WHO target. Furthermore, Tajikistan lacks a comprehensive air quality monitoring system, hindering data availability.
Anisa Abibulloeva, Project Coordinator of the environmental organization “Little Earth,” sheds light on the reasons behind the dust storms: “Tajikistan is experiencing rising average temperatures, more extreme heat events, and altered precipitation patterns, leading to droughts. These factors create vast swathes of dry soil and sandy sediments easily swept up by strong winds. Additionally, improper land use and unsustainable agricultural practices contribute to increased soil erosion and dust formation.”
Tashkent’s air quality has plummeted from “moderate” in 2020 (ranking 18th on the most polluted cities list) to “terrible” in 2024. The city regularly breaks pollution records, making smog a constant presence, not just a background issue. While Tashkent is taking steps towards cleaner air, such as introducing electric buses, expanding green spaces, and implementing stricter industrial regulations, citizens can only hope these measures will be effective.
Almaty also grapples with high air pollution levels. Despite Kazakhstan’s ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, plans to build new coal-fired power plants cast doubt on its feasibility. The Ministry of Ecology has identified these plants as major polluters, citing Ust-Kamenogorsk’s coal-fired thermal power plant as a prime example. Clean air seems to come at a hefty price, and the shadow of emissions will likely continue to loom over the city.
“In Kazakhstan, the MAC of PM2.5 is 35 µg/m³, while the WHO standard is 15 µg/m³. The WHO standard for annual PM2.5 concentration is 5 µg/m³. In Kazakhstan there is no such standard, but we have maximum single MAC values, which are 11 times higher than the average daily WHO standard. To start gradual reduction of PM2.5 concentrations, WHO recommends interim targets for PM2.5 concentrations of 35 µg/m³, 25 µg/m³ and 15 µg/m³ for 24 hours. Thus, national standards should be achieved initially and then a course of gradual reductions should be followed. It is important to note that on most days of the year in Almaty, PM2.5 concentrations did not even meet national standards.” – Madina Tursumbayeva, a researcher at the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology at the Al Farabi Kazakh National University, commented on the situation in Almaty.
As for Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, its data is still shrouded in mystery. Is the air quality in this city a closely guarded secret, or is it a success story waiting to happen?
The Heavy Price We Pay: The Silent Cry of Our Health
The consequences of air pollution are dire. Respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis are becoming commonplace. However, these invisible pollutants, known as PM2.5, go beyond affecting the respiratory tract. They penetrate the bloodstream, causing increased morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, and type 2 diabetes.
Madina Tursumbayeva, a researcher at the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology at the Al Farabi Kazakh National University, sheds light on a potential flaw in pollution source identification:
“Officials often point to transportation as the main culprit, with emissions supposedly accounting for over half of total atmospheric emissions. However, this conclusion might be based on flawed methodology. It simply sums emissions of various pollutants without considering their toxicity. For instance, PM2.5 has a far greater health impact than CO, even though CO emissions might be higher.”
The most disturbing aspect is the human cost.
The latest World Bank data (2019) shows that PM2.5 air pollution caused a staggering 89 deaths per 100,000 people in Uzbekistan, the highest rate in Central Asia. Tajikistan follows with an estimated 78 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants annually. Kyrgyzstan (61 deaths), Kazakhstan (63 deaths), and Turkmenistan (70 deaths) also face significant health burdens. Notably, a UNICEF study (2021-2022) suggests a higher death toll of 112 per 100,000 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Notably, a UNICEF study (2021-2022) suggests a higher death toll of 112 per 100,000 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Persistent Culprits of Air Pollution
The air quality crisis in Central Asia extends far beyond tailpipe emissions. In most cities, the primary source of PM2.5 pollution is coal combustion, not transportation as previously thought.
Tursumbayeva emphasizes the region’s dependence on “dirty” fossil fuels (coal, wood, diesel) as a significant factor.
Take Tajikistan, for example. Wind-blown dust, smoke, and emissions from residences and businesses burning coal and other fossil fuels are major contributors. Transportation pales in comparison. The World Bank estimates that 40% of PM2.5 concentrations can be directly attributed to fossil fuel combustion.
Uzbekistan faces a similar challenge. Emissions from coal-fired and fuel oil-powered plants mix with exhaust fumes and dust clouds. Rapid urbanization shrinks green spaces, further worsening the situation. One power plant in Tashkent has increased its fuel oil use by 2.3 times since 2018. Additionally, coal consumption has risen alongside car numbers. Climate change exacerbates the issue with extreme weather events like dust storms, abnormal winters, and scorching summers becoming more frequent.
Kyrgyzstan isn’t spared either. During winter, residents in Bishkek burn various harmful materials for heat, including tires, plastic, and garment industry waste, turning their homes into polluters. The city’s thermal power plants, cars, and landfill also contribute significantly.
The focus should be on tackling the root cause: dirty energy sources.
The Path to Clean Skies
Despite the grim outlook, there is still hope. Individual Central Asian countries recognize the air pollution crisis’s severity and are taking initial steps. However, these efforts need significant acceleration and expansion.
Maria Kolesnikova, Chairwoman of the environmental NGO MuvGreen, eco-activist, and UN Earth Champion, proposes a multifaceted approach:
“To solve environmental pollution comprehensively, we need strategic measures addressing all sources. We can’t limit ourselves to just one area, like solely tackling vehicle exhaust fumes. An integrated approach is necessary: Develop renewable energy sources (solar, wind, geothermal) to reduce dependence on fossil fuels; Improve building energy efficiency; Develop public transport and shift to cleaner fuels. We have detailed proposals available.”
Cleaning Central Asia’s air will require a collaborative effort from governments, businesses, and citizens. It’s a complex task, but the future of public health and the environment hinges on its successful resolution.
Anisa Abibulloeva, Project Coordinator of the environmental organization “Little Earth” and CAN EECCA Board Member, highlights the need for improved monitoring and sustainable land management in Tajikistan:
“Dushanbe only has four air quality monitoring sensors, some of which are unreliable. This limited data makes it impossible to get a complete picture of pollution sources. Civil society needs to be involved in air quality monitoring. Investment and research are crucial to identify the causes of air pollution in the country. Considering the increased frequency of dust storms, a comprehensive approach is required. This includes stricter legislation for air quality monitoring in construction, emissions from power plants and the private sector, along with sustainable land management and reforestation efforts, particularly in southern Tajikistan.”
