Air quality in Isparta

What is the current level of air pollution in Isparta?

Isparta is a city in western Turkey and the capital of Isparta Province. According to a census which was conducted in 2010, the city has an estimated population of approximately 225,000 people. It is fondly known as “The City of Roses”.

Towards the middle of 2021, Isparta was experiencing a period of “Good” quality air with a US AQI reading of just 32. This United States Air Quality Index number is an internationally used set of metrics supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is used to compare the air quality in different cities throughout the world using comparable standards. It is calculated by using the levels of the six most commonly found pollutants. If figures are not all available, the figure is calculated using what information is available. In the case of Isparta, there were three measurements available. These were: PM2.5 - 7.7 µg/m³, PM10 - 19.7 µg/m³ and carbon monoxide (CO) - 572.4 µg/m³.

Although no level of air pollution is safe, with a level such as this, doors and windows can be safely opened to allow the flow of fresh air throughout the home. All forms of outdoor activity can be enjoyed without fear.

Is the level of air pollution constant throughout the year in Isparta?

Air pollution is very volatile and, as such, can change very quickly depending on many variables, such as wind speed and direction and the strength of sunlight.

Looking back at the figures published by the Swiss air monitoring company IQAir.com for 2020 it can be seen that from February until the end of October, Isparta experienced a period of “Moderate” air quality with readings between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³. The remaining three colder, winter months saw the quality go down to being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with figures between 35.5 and 55.4 µg/m³. These figures are quoted in micrograms/microns per cubic metre.

Records were kept in 2019 when the average reading was 28.9 µg/m³ and falling to 25.8 µg/m³ in 2020. However, this may not be a truly accurate figure because of the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many vehicles were no longer used as the drivers were furloughed and not required to commute to and from work. There were also many factories and other non-essential production units which were temporarily closed in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus.

What is the main source of air pollution in Isparta?

The increase in energy consumption has made air pollution an important problem in residential areas, especially in cities. The widespread use of natural gas in the country and the tendency to use high quality coal has partially prevented the increase of the problem but have not eliminated it. The effect of topographic and climatic factors on air pollution, which is a consequence of human activities, is very important. The topography affects temperature inversion due to the stability of the air and also affects pollution as a factor that directs the wind speed.

In this study, sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and Particulate Matter (PM10) data electronically downloaded from Air Quality Monitoring Station in Isparta city centre were used. These data were compared with the National and European Union upper limit value criteria and the daily data of the months when the limits were exceeded (November until the end of March of 2006-2016) were analysed using the SPSS 23 program.

In the study, temperature inversion values were calculated from the data of High Atmosphere Balloons and the relationship between pollutants was analysed. Multiple Regression and Pearson Correlation tests were used in the data analyses. According to the regression analysis, the temperature inversion alone gives 38 per cent control over the PM10 density, the temperature inversion and the wind speed together control 47.7 per cent. On the sulphur dioxide density, 18.4 per cent of the wind speed; temperature inversion with wind speed has a 23.4 per cent control. Pearson Correlation test results show that there is a moderate and positive correlation between the sulphur dioxide and PM10 concentrations which are important parameters of air pollution and the temperature reversal there is also a weak and negative relationship between wind speed and cloudiness in Isparta. There has been a downward trend in the concentration of both pollutants in recent years. This is thought to be due to the widespread use of natural gas, the upgrading of fuel quality and the increase in the standard of transport vehicles.

Can anything be done to improve the air quality in Isparta?

The CityAir Project, initiated by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization with the European Union at the end of 2018, is the most comprehensive project carried out in the country on air quality, bringing the fight against air pollution, one of the leading environmental problems threatening human health, to the agenda of Turkey. Within the framework of CityAir, which is a three-year project, we are developing clean air action plans for the protection of air quality in 31 provinces of Turkey on a technical basis, which is, based on numerical data. This means: Which resources are important for which city, which resources can be controlled with what kind of control method and technology. We are conducting a study that will turn into tangible outputs, such as how much we can reduce the impact of these resources when controlled.

What detrimental effects on human health does the air in Isparta have?

The air we breathe affects brain development and brain health. Stating that air pollution has negative effects on brain health, experts point out that polluted air triggers migraine headaches.

Around the world, 7 million people die prematurely every year from diseases caused by air pollution. In Turkey, approximately 32,000 people die every year due to diseases related to air pollution. Air pollution ranks 4^th among health risks. Polluted air can cause disorders in many organs, especially in the heart and circulatory system. Heart attacks, heart failure, intravascular coagulation, stroke in the nervous system, stroke are the most common diseases. It impairs lung development in the respiratory system, especially in children, causing an unhealthy development and various lung diseases in later life. It is known that babies exposed to air pollution in the womb before birth are prone to respiratory diseases in their future lives.

Air pollution plays a role in the development of diseases such as COPD and asthma, and also causes these diseases to attack. Lower respiratory tract infections, especially in childhood, may cause deaths due to pneumonia.