Tashkent ranked first among the world's major cities in terms of air pollution levels on January 28. The IQAir portal provided information about air quality.
The ranking changes in real-time. As of 13:22, Tashkent is leading among polluted cities. The concentration of fine PM2.5 particulate matter in the capital's air reached 193.5 µg/m3. Currently, the air quality in the capital is classified as "extremely harmful."
If the IQAir index is above 100, it is considered harmful to health, and above 200, it is rated as very harmful. According to the World Health Organization, among the indicators of air pollution, PM2.5 particulate matter poses the greatest health risk. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Tashkent has topped this ranking.
According to the Ministry of Ecology, air pollution in Uzbekistan is related to natural (dry climate, sandy and loamy soils) and anthropogenic (transport, industrial, construction waste) factors. Weak winds, temperature inversions, and atmospheric stability create conditions for natural air pollution.
Due to the country's natural characteristics (dry climate, sandy and clay soils), the concentration of suspended particles—dust—is high in the atmosphere. Currently, industrial enterprises and vehicles release more than 2 million tons of pollutants into the atmosphere annually. Especially in Tashkent, Almalyk, Nurafshon, Ohangaron, Angren, Bekobod, and Quvasoy, the amount of pollutants in the air is significantly higher compared to other regions.
What to do in dusty air?
The recommendations from the Sanitary and Epidemiological Committee for dealing with dusty air are as follows:
- Go outside as little as possible;
- Wear a medical mask when going out for work, study, or shopping, and change it every 2 hours;
- Take a shower after returning home (wash hair and face thoroughly);
- Wipe keys, glasses, phone, and bag with a damp cloth;
- Wash clothes worn outside;
- Shake out outerwear (suit, coat, raincoat, etc.) while wearing a mask;
- Gargle and rinse the nose frequently with saline solution;
- Drink more fluids (warm), preferably green tea or herbal infusions;
- Limit fatty, fried, smoked, salted, and spicy foods;
- Consume liquid vegetable dishes, dairy products (yogurt, kefir, etc.), and greens;
- Prevent dust accumulation and clean the house and surfaces properly;
- Keep doors and windows of homes, offices, and vehicles tightly closed;
- Clean everything that can accumulate dust with a vacuum cleaner (carpets, rugs, soft furniture, soft toys, etc.). It is recommended to cover soft furniture with a damp cloth before shaking it out.
- Wipe all surfaces that can accumulate dust (floors, cabinets, work surfaces, etc.) several times a day with a damp cloth;
- Leave shoes at the entrance and wash them as soon as possible;
- Ensure optimal humidity in the room: hang wet towels in the rooms, place water in larger containers.
