The fifth of the “Black Report”, which is the report of air quality in Turkey, prepared by the Right to Clean Air Platform (THHP), formed by 15 health, environment and climate organizations that conduct studies on the effects of air pollution on human health, has been published.
In the report, the average annual particulate matter values in Batman, Iğdır, Ağrı, Şırnak and Malatya, which are listed as the 5 most polluted cities, are 5 to 8 times the guide value determined by the World Health Organization (WHO), and there are more than 200 national It was determined that air pollution was measured above the limit value.
In the report, it was noted that the inhabitants of Batman were exposed to polluted air for 326 days in 2021.
In the report, which stated that Iğdır has been in the top ranks among the most polluted provinces for the last 6 years, it was stated that another important reason, in addition to the air pollution caused by the burning of coal in houses, is intense international road traffic and goods transportation.
It was reported that those living in Hakkari, the only province without PM10 pollution, breathe very polluted air in terms of sulfur dioxide.
AIR POLLUTION IS THE FIFTH CAUSE OF DEATH
Reminding that air pollution was in the sixth place in 2009 among the top 10 risks that cause death and disability for all ages in Turkey, it rose to the fifth place in 2019. 4 thousand 848 people in Istanbul, 2 thousand 853 people in Ankara, 2 thousand 223 people in Bursa and 1731 people in Izmir died due to diseases related to air pollution.
According to the report, it was determined that 31 of every 100 deaths in Batman, where the percentage share of air pollution is the highest among the causes of death, and 28 out of every 100 deaths in Iğdır and Karaman are caused by air pollution.
AIR POLLUTION INCREASED IN THE EARTHQUAKE REGION
Deniz Gümüşel, Coordinator of the Right to Clean Air Platform, mentioned that air pollution has increased in cities affected by earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, “Particulate matter density in Kahramanmaraş is 100 micrograms per cubic meter, that is, 2.5 times the national legal limit, and 7.5 times the WHO guide value. “Unfortunately, this pollution is caused by a large amount of dust from the debris and the open fire that the public burns to warm up. When the risk of asbestos is added to this, it is possible to say that there is or will be a serious public health problem in the region due to air pollution.” said.
Emphasizing that regular data could not be obtained from air quality stations in the center of Adıyaman and Hatay, which were affected by the earthquake, and that the particulate matter pollution in Iskenderun has been 200 micrograms per cubic meter for the last 40 days, Gümüşel said, “Physicians in the region have already stated that there is an increase in respiratory tract diseases.” he said.
