The primary sources of dusty air in Uzbekistan were identified

The Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change reported that dust pollution in Uzbekistan stems from both natural factors (such as a dry climate and sandy, loamy soils) and human activities (including transportation, industry, and construction waste).

Factors like weak winds, temperature inversions, and stagnant atmospheric conditions contribute to natural air pollution.

The Ministry highlighted that Uzbekistan's natural characteristics, including its dry climate and sandy, clay soils, lead to high levels of suspended particles in the air.

"Currently, a project in collaboration with the World Bank is assessing air quality in Tashkent. Preliminary findings indicate that natural dust contributes 36%, heat supply 24%, vehicles 16%, and industrial enterprises 13% to the PM2.5 levels—small dispersed particles—in Tashkent," stated the ministry report. 

As of 09:00 on May 17, the concentration of PM2.5 particles in the air, according to https://www.iqair.com, was 66 μg/m³.

"Recently, temperature inversions (where air temperature increases with altitude) have been noted in Tashkent's lower atmosphere (up to 100-150 meters). This phenomenon inhibits vertical air movement, leading to higher concentrations of PM2.5 particulate matter.

The use of coal and fuel oil for heating during the autumn and winter leads to a consistent rise in PM2.5 concentrations. In the spring and summer, pollutant levels increase, particularly on hot, dry days, due to natural dust from desertification and drought.

Currently, pollution can be attributed to minor fog formation after precipitation and the convection process, where air rises from the ground before moist air flows in," the ministry stated.