Why Tashkent region's air quality is within standards: Official explanation

On February 7, the Tashkent Regional Department of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, together with the Tashkent Regional Prosecutor's Office, conducted a study to analyze and take measures to reduce air pollution in the Tashkent region. Air quality was measured at 9 points along the Tashkent Ring Road using a mobile laboratory.

According to the analysis results, no exceedances of PM-2.5 or PM-10 pollutants were detected. This finding sparked discussion and criticism among Internet users, prompting a response from the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change.

The Ministry explained that during atmospheric air monitoring, the equipment recorded a one-time PM-2.5 level of 0.209 mg/m3. To determine the average daily pollution level, experts conducted multiple measurements throughout the day by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Since most greenhouses in the region use hot water heating from the Tashkent Thermal Power Plant, it was concluded that the daily local pollution level did not exceed the established standards.

The Ministry also addressed social media reports claiming that PM-2.5 particles exceeded the standard by 40 times. It was clarified that this was calculated by incorrectly dividing the one-time measurement of 209 mg/m3 by the WHO's maximum annual guideline of 0.005 mg/m3 (5 μg/m3).

"In Uzbekistan, by the 1st intermediate goal of the WHO's global air quality recommendations, Sanitary Rules and Standards No. 0053-23, issued on August 7, 2023, were approved. These standards set the daily limit for PM-2.5 at 0.06 mg/m3 and the annual limit at 0.035 mg/m3, without specifying a one-time measurement standard," the Ministry emphasized.

Additionally, an inspection of 607 greenhouses in the Tashkent region from November to February revealed several issues. Only 53 greenhouses were equipped with dust and gas purification filters, which were handmade and did not meet the 99.5% efficiency requirement. Instead, their effectiveness was below 60%. Furthermore, 199 greenhouses lacked environmental approval, and 18 were found burning rubber residues, sawdust, and other waste alongside coal.

As a result, strict penalties were imposed on 154 greenhouses, including suspending operations at 95 facilities and issuing administrative fines to 49. Additionally, 376 greenhouses were instructed to comply with environmental regulations.