Air quality in Erzurum

What is the level of air pollution in Erzurum at the moment?

Erzurum is a city in eastern Anatolia, Turkey. It is the largest city in Erzurum Province and is also the capital of that province. In a 2010 census, the population was estimated to be 367,000 which was an increase of 6,000 over the 2000 census.

In the middle of 2021, Erzurum was experiencing a period of “Moderate” quality air with a US AQI figure of 70. This United States Air Quality Index number is globally used and recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is used to compare air quality for towns and cities throughout the world because a standard set of metrics is used. Up to six of the most common pollutants are measured in order to evaluate the level. However, all six are not always available, in which case, the available data will suffice. In Erzurum, four out of the six were available which were as follows: PM2.5 - 21 µg/m³, PM10 - 24.2 µg/m³, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) - 17 µg/m³ and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) - 2.6 µg/m³. With levels as high as this, the advice given is to stay indoors and close all windows and doors to prevent more polluted air from getting inside. Those groups of people who are more sensitive to poorer air quality should avoid venturing out until the air quality improves. And then a good quality mask should be worn as a precaution. The table published at the top of this page should help with your decision.

Is the air quality in Erzurum the same all year round?

Air quality depends on so many variable factors that it can and does change very quickly.

The figures for 2020 have been published on the IQAir.com website and it can easily be seen that the period of time when the air quality was at its best was from February until the end of September. During these months, the air could be classed as being “Moderate” with figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³. For the months of October and November, the quality slipped down into a lower category of being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with figures between 35.5 and 55.4 µg/m³. The remaining two months of January and December saw the worst period of air quality when it was classified as being “Unhealthy” with figures between 55.5 and 150.4 µg/m³.

There were no records kept before 2020 when the average figure was recorded as being 34.2 µg/m³. However, this figure may not be a true indication of the air quality that can usually be expected because of the restrictions put into place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many office staff were furloughed and therefore did not need to commute to and from work on a daily basis.

Many factories were also told to suspend production until further notice. This stopped a lot of air pollution straight away.

What are the causes of Erzurum’s polluted air?

Air pollution in Erzurum is mostly caused by human activities. The most important environmental problem of the city is air pollution. The major cause of air pollution in Erzurum is the fuel burned for heating the houses.

However, gases such as sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ozone (O₃) are the leading parameters known to pollute the air. It is known that PM2.5 is one of the most dangerous air pollutant parameters.

According to the measurements of the National Air Quality Monitoring Network of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation, air pollution alarms were sounded in Erzurum. Stating that the biggest cause of air pollution is subsidised coal. A spokesperson from the local authority said that we will distribute coal with a lower rate of sulphur or we will provide natural gas support to our citizens by accelerating the transition to natural gas.

According to the data of the National Air Quality Monitoring Network, the particulate matter rate starts to increase during the early evening hours, reaching a record level at 24:00. The rate of particulate matter is expected to be 80 micrograms on average in Turkey and 50 micrograms in EU countries. In Erzurum, the amount of particulate matter increased up to 368 micrograms in one cubic meter of air. It was stated that the measured value was approximately 5 times the country average and 7.5 times the EU average.

Can anything be done to improve the quality of air in Erzurum?

It is thought that solar energy should be used with special programs. As one of the cities with the most sunshine, it is hoped to use the sun correctly, to support the public and to provide heating with solar panels, and therefore to live in a clean Erzurum.

It has been suggested that the existing footpaths which are next to the road should be moved further away from the source of pollution and replaced with greenery. Walking tracks and sports fields should be built in areas far from highways too. Precautions need to be taken for demolition and dusting during construction. Spraying water over the dusty area prevents the dust from rising and being carried away by the wind.

Toxic components are released into the atmosphere by using low-quality coal for heating in public housing. However, air pollution can be minimized with the district heating system. When using a cogeneration system based on the principle of producing electricity and heat together, it saves energy costs, reduces transmission and distribution losses, provides cheap and economical heating thereby reducing harmful emissions.

How does air pollution in Erzurum affect the human body?

Pollutants in the form of dust, smoke, gas and water vapour in the atmosphere negatively affect human health. Air pollution can cause respiratory, heart, skin, eye and nervous system diseases. The effects of air pollution on human health are divided into short and long term.

Short-term effects occur in the form of an allergic reaction and can be reversible. Long-term effects arise depending on the pollution density and duration of the air exposed. For people living in regions where air pollution is intense and continuous, the risk of various chronic diseases, from cough to bronchitis, from heart diseases to cancer, is also increasing.

Small particles constitute the most dangerous group, as they can penetrate into the air sacs inside the lungs. Various gases in the polluted air that are inhaled also harm human health.