How Good Is Turkey’s Air Quality Compared to the World?

Cities are falling day by day air qualityIt is one of the issues that humanity has been struggling with for a very long time. industrial Revolution Afterwards, humanity, which better understood the importance of protecting air quality, started to specially design living spaces for this need, especially after Barcelona’s expansion plan.

Although many steps have been taken to protect or increase air quality over time, it is not possible to say that ideal conditions have been created everywhere. World Air Quality Index This site, where the measurements made within the scope of the project, are published instantly, reveals that we are far behind in terms of air quality. One of the most striking data on the site is that Ankara/Ulus has the worst air quality in Turkey. In addition, the situation in Turkey is not very encouraging.

Turkey’s average air quality is quite low compared to Europe

When we look at the instant data, Turkey’s air quality in general unhealthy and partially unhealthy when we see that it is at the level of orange and yellow, which we can say; especially in Western Europe, we see that the ‘good’ level of green rating is abundant. However, the air quality in Eastern Europe and the Balkans seems low enough to be considered close to Turkey.

There are almost no places in Turkey with ‘good’ air quality

The map you see above shows the instantaneous air quality situation across Turkey. Although the data varies from hour to hour, we see that almost no stations in Turkey, with a few exceptions, report ‘good’ air quality in general. Especially in Turkey’s largest city IstanbulWhile red and orange air quality, which we can almost call ‘unhealthy’, is observed in . There are also yellow and green areas that can be considered relatively healthier in İzmir and Ankara. However, there is such a region in Ankara that the level of air pollution is unmatched in China and even in India.

Scary result in Ankara/Ulus

Located in Ankara Ulus, the station draws attention as one of the points where the highest measurements are made worldwide during the day. So much so that while over 300 points are considered harmful and dangerous for everyone, this figure is sometimes seen in Ulus. even over 800 coming out. This level means that it is dangerous to even go out and breathe.

The air pollution seen in the nation is absent, not even in the much-criticized China and India.

Although air pollution in China and India reaches 600 levels in places, we do not encounter the ‘800’ level seen in the nation. This provides a better understanding of how dire the situation in Ulus is.

Eastern Anatolia is the place where the air is the cleanest in Turkey!

Areas with the cleanest air Siirt, Bitlis, Van, Agri, Ardahan with our provinces in the east and west Datca and Fethiye We have districts like in the north Sinop, the air managed to be the cleanest region. In general terms, if Turkey’s air pollution rate above average and air pollution in general poses a threat to everyone. Especially the most dangerous group of particles, PM2.5 particle group emissions are high across the country.

So how is air pollution measured and how is data collected?

In calculating the Air Quality Index particle, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions are measured. Most of the established stations perform measurements for two different particles. At the end of each hour, a result is revealed according to the measurements made during that hour.

On the other hand this how healthy the measurements are Another controversial point. Because the quality level in Sıhhiye, which is a very short distance from Ulus, is partially unhealthy. up to 151 points falling. In Bahçelievler, the measurement value of air pollution 77 is happening. Therefore, in the Nation, the station may be measuring incorrectly or it may be a facility that specifically emits emissions at the point where the measurement is made. Of course, there is a possibility that the air in Ulus region may be extra ‘dirty’ for some special reasons.