Environmentalists explained the causes of air pollution

Environmentalists name reasons for air pollution

In recent days, the issue of the sharp deterioration in air quality has once again taken center stage in public attention. At the same time, environmentalists note that not only the capital of Uzbekistan is affected, but the entire region. The Committee on Ecology and Climate Change presented a detailed analysis of the causes of what is happening, based on data from national and international observations.

What do the figures show?

According to monitoring data, on October 26, the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeded the hazardous level of 100 units in six out of the eight largest cities in Central Asia at once.

In Bishkek, the figure rose to 160, and the city took fourth place in the global anti-ranking for air pollution. In Tashkent, it reached 157, in Shymkent — 149, and in Dushanbe and Karaganda, it stood at 134. In neighboring Kazakhstan, the number of cities with adverse meteorological conditions increased from four to ten in just a few days.

In Tashkent, the average daily index grew by 76% over five days — from 93 points on October 21 to 164 points on October 26. Moreover, the highest pollution occurred during the night hours: over the past month, the average figure at 23:00 reached 119, whereas at 17:00 it remained at the level of 82. The simultaneous deterioration of atmospheric conditions in cities located hundreds of kilometers apart confirms that the root cause is linked to large-scale regional atmospheric processes.

Reasons: anticyclone and temperature inversion

In the third decade of October, a slow-moving anticyclone established itself over Central Asia. Calm weather, lack of precipitation, and pronounced temperature inversion blocked natural air circulation.

The essence of the process is that a layer of warm air covers the cooled surface of the earth, acting like a sealed lid. Vertical mixing of the atmosphere stops. Under such conditions, even without an increase in the actual volume of emissions, the concentration of PM2.5 microparticles increases rapidly, as exhaust gases, smoke from heating, industrial emissions, and suspended dust become trapped in the surface layer.

Natural dust and the anthropogenic factor

Central Asia is located inside a vast arid belt that includes the Karakum, Kyzylkum, and the dried bed of the Aral Sea (Aral Kum) deserts. Dust plumes freely cross state borders; therefore, the problem of transboundary dust transport cannot be solved within a single city alone.

Laboratory analysis of air samples taken in the Almazar, Yunusabad, and Mirzo-Ulugbek districts of Tashkent showed the following structure of PM2.5 particle pollution:

39.7% came from natural mineral dust from deserts;

42.6% — from combustion processes (transport, industry, and the energy system).

During periods of active dust storms, the share of the natural factor in the capital's air rose to 64%, and in individual samples — up to 78%.

Annual dynamics and monitoring network

The Committee on Ecology emphasizes that short-term spikes in pollution must be separated from general annual dynamics. From January to October 19, 2026, the PM2.5 particle content in Tashkent's air decreased by 28%, and PM10 by 32% compared to the same period last year. The average air quality index for October also improved — from 124 to 104.

For more prompt control, the monitoring network in Uzbekistan has been expanded: today, 28 automatic monitoring stations are connected to the national platform, and their data is transmitted to scientists and available to the public in real time.

What needs to be done?

Specialists note that climate change, drought, and reduced soil moisture increase the frequency of dust storms and air stagnation periods. In this regard, the key measures named are: strengthening regional cooperation and rapid data exchange between the hydrometeorological services of Central Asian countries for joint forecasting of dust transport; early forecasting of inversion phenomena and prompt public notification; gradual reduction of emissions from transport, boiler houses, and factories, alongside increasing energy efficiency; strict control over dust suppression at construction sites and large-scale greening of open soil areas devoid of vegetation cover; proper urban planning while preserving wind corridors.

The main conclusion of scientists is that weather conditions are capable of multiplying the severity of the environmental situation; however, reducing the anthropogenic load and regional coordination remain the primary tools for protecting public health.