Air quality in Tashkent reached the red, or unhealthy, category on October 19, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 153 as of 09:00, according to data from IQAir. With this reading, Uzbekistan's capital ranked 13th among major cities worldwide with the most polluted air.
Air quality also deteriorated in Samarkand, where the AQI reached 105. This level is considered harmful to sensitive groups, including children, older people and individuals with respiratory conditions. According to the reported measurements, the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air was 11.6 times higher than the annual limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Source: “IQAIR”
Residents are advised to take precautions during periods of elevated air pollution. The recommendations include:
Avoiding outdoor physical exercise and sports.
Keeping windows closed to prevent polluted outdoor air from entering homes.
Wearing a medical mask when going outside.
Using air purifiers indoors.
Earlier, it was reported that Uzbekistan is implementing an automated atmospheric air quality monitoring system near airports. The project is intended to provide continuous monitoring of environmental conditions and air quality. The first monitoring stations were fully configured and put into operation at Samarkand Airport on October 9 and Fergana Airport on October 15.
Similar monitoring equipment is planned for installation near all international airports across Uzbekistan.