Air quality in Amasya

What is the level of air pollution in Amasya now?

Amasya is a city in northern Turkey and is the capital of Amasya Province, in the Black Sea Region of the country. It used to be called Amaseia or Amasia in the past. It is situated in a valley along the banks of the Yeşilirmak River. According to a 2012 census, Amasya had an estimated population of approximately 92,000 people.

Towards the middle of 2021, Amasya was experiencing a period of “Moderate” air quality with a US AQI reading of 55. This United States Air Quality Index figure is an internationally used set of metrics that is used to determine the level of air pollution at any given time. It can be used to compare several cities, even when they are in different countries. The number is calculated by measuring up to six of the commonly occurring pollutants in the air. However, sometimes they are not always available and the figure has to be calculated using what records there are. For Amasya, there were three measurements available which were: PM2.5 - 14.1 µg/m³, PM10 - 16.7 µg/m³ and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) - 3.2 µg/m³. With levels such as these, the advice is to close doors and windows to prevent the ingress of more polluted air. Those of a sensitive disposition are advised to remain indoors or if travel outside is unavoidable, then a good quality mask is recommended. The table published at the top of this page will help with the decision.

When is the best time of year to enjoy clean air in Amasya?

Looking back at the figures published by IQAir.com for 2020, it is easy to see that during the months of March through to the end of October were the best air quality in Amasya when figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³ were recorded, which classed the air as being “Moderate”.

November, January and February saw the quality slip down into the next category, “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with figures between 35.5 and 55.4 µg/m³. As expected, the cold month of December recorded the worst quality when it was classified as being “Unhealthy” with figures between 55.5 and 150.4 µg/m³.

Figures for air quality were first recorded in 2018 when the figure was 34 µg/m³, a slightly worse figure was recorded in 2019 of 35.9 before last year’s figure of 31.7 µg/m³ was noted. These figures are quoted in micrograms/microns per cubic metre. The figure could be artificially lower than usual because of the restrictions brought into force due to the COVID-19 pandemic when the use of private vehicles was mainly prohibited and many manufacturing plants were told to cease production until further notice.

What are the sources of all this polluted air in Amasya?

The reason for the increased air pollution especially in the winter months is the content of the heating fuels used. Toxic gases from stoves and heaters mix into the air. Inhalation of carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter mixed into the air by living things causes lung damage. The main source of domestic air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels and fuels such as wood for cooking or heating.

Factorisation, which has increased significantly in recent years, has also brought about air pollution. Gases coming out of the chimneys of the factories pollute the air. Factorisation, which provides development and job opportunities, harms the environment and living things due to improper use. In many countries, electricity generation is the leading source of air pollution. While power plants using coal make a significant contribution, diesel generators are a major concern. Industrial processes in the chemical and mining industries and the use of solvents (they generate hazardous waste as a result of use according to the properties of the chemicals they contain) also pollute the air. Policies and programs aimed at increasing energy efficiency and production from renewable sources have a direct impact on a country's air quality.

In addition, ammonia used in agricultural activities is one of the most widely used and most dangerous gases in the atmosphere. The use of pesticides and fertilisers in agricultural activities has increased considerably. They emit harmful chemicals into the air and can also cause water pollution.

Air pollution caused by public transportation vehicles and private vehicles is steadily increasing year on year. The causes of air pollution of vehicles are gases emitted from the exhaust pipe, gasoline tank, brake pads and tyres. Consider the number of individuals who go to work or school using their private cars every day, air pollution seems inevitable. Inhaling carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrous oxide gases coming out of cars have effects that can cause death.

Can anything be done to lower pollution levels in Amasya?

Coal-fired power plants that have not completed their environmental investments should not be allowed to operate. Incentives for energy efficiency and electricity generation from renewable energy sources should be increased by ending the incentives for coal-based energy production. Public transportation and cycling should be encouraged in cities and green areas should be increased. Alternative sources should be expanded instead of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas for domestic heating.

How does this poor air quality in Amasya affect human health?

Stating that the pollution of the air increases the rate of spread of infections in areas with polluted air, the duration of illnesses is prolonged, the severity of symptoms increase, it causes more workforce losses, and the number of hospital admissions increases on days when air pollution is high.

Babies, children under the age of 14 years, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly, those with chronic respiratory and circulatory system diseases and smokers are at higher risk for air pollution.

PM10 values increased to levels that would seriously affect the health of the public. It was observed that there is an air pollution problem due to PM10 not only in the winter season but also in the summer season, too.

Stating that when the 24-hour average values of PM10 exceed 50, asthma patients may start to be affected, when it exceeds 100 sensitive groups such as asthma and heart disease are adversely affected. During these periods, asthma patients should not go out as much as possible and have their medications available as the risk of seizures increases.