Uzgydromet denies information about air pollution in Tashkent

Uzgidromet has commented on the information spread on internet about the high rates of air pollution in Tashkent.

"Readings from equipment at the U.S. Embassy are highly dependent on immediate factors, such as wind gusts or the passage of trucks. Therefore, it wouldn`t be correct to trust the conclusions made by American analysts, " the Department concludes.

Uzgidromet also said that observations of the state of atmospheric air are carried out at 13 posts located in eight districts of the capital. Moreover, the observation posts are located in completely different zones: residential, industrial and near highways. Experts explained that the analysis and assessment of air pollution levels are carried out on such indicators as dust, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, phenol, ammonia, formaldehyde and heavy metals.

To do this, employees of Uzgidromet took air samples three times a day, from Monday to Saturday, at 7.00 am, 01.00 pm and 07.00 pm.

"The priority pollutants in the air are dust, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and ammonia, whose average annual concentrations in certain months exceed the maximum permissible concentrations," the report said.

There are several services for tracking the state of the air: AirVisual and World Air Quality Index.

As of January 30, according to AirVisual, the level of pollution in the capital's air (AQI) was 119 micrograms per cubic meter. Content of PM2. 5 (fine particle that pollutes the air) was 43 micrograms per cubic meter.

On January 28, the air pollution index was 110 micrograms per cubic meter, and on January 29-63 micrograms per cubic meter.

According to the World Air Quality Index project, the AQI did not exceed 207 for the last 15 months (the figure was recorded on November 19, 2019).

The World Air Quality Index experts also published a table of the AQI index and the corresponding content of fine particles. In accordance with it, it can be seen that the index 212 corresponds to the value of 150 PM2. 5.

According to Uzbek experts, in Tashkent, the average annual values for the concentration of PM2. 5 in 2012 amounted to 34 micrograms per cubic meter, in 2013-26 micrograms per cubic meter, in 2014-26 micrograms per cubic meter.

At the same time, the highest concentrations of these substances occurred in the autumn-winter period. This is due to weather conditions and the heating season.

"Uzbekistan is characterized by an increased content of suspended particles in the air due to natural features (dry climate, sandy loam and loamy soils). The arid climate has a significant impact on the formation of suspended particles and their behavior in the atmosphere, " Uzgidromet noted.

The New York Times has recently called the air in Tashkent "very unhealthy". The pollution index, according to the publication, was 212 micrograms per cubic meters, while the permitted indicator is below 100 micrograms.