Turkey's Pollution Problem: Air Or Water?

Turkey has a moderate rating for pollution, which indicates that many of its cities have some notable problems with their pollution levels. The country's air pollution is the most lethal of its environmental issues, with almost everyone across Turkey exposed to more than the World Health Organization's guidelines. Over 30,000 people die each year from air pollution-related illnesses, and air pollution is particularly damaging to children's health. Vehicular emissions and fumes, construction sites, factories, power plants, and the burning of coal and other materials in homes for cooking and heating are the main causes of air pollution in Turkey. While air pollution is a pressing issue in Turkey, it is important to also consider water pollution in the country.

Vehicular emissions and fumes

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that Turkey has high purchase taxes on new cars, leading to a large proportion of older, more energy-inefficient vehicles. In 2019, about 45% of cars were over 10 years old. Additionally, heavy-duty vehicles such as large trucks and buses contribute massively to vehicular pollution, releasing large amounts of noxious black clouds.

The impact of vehicular emissions and fumes on air quality in Turkey is further influenced by factors such as fuel efficiency and the emission mitigation technologies used. The introduction of electric vehicles is expected to play a crucial role in reducing air pollution. The first model of the Turkish national electric car is planned to start production in 2022, and increasing the proportion of electric cars in use is a key part of the country's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

To address the issue of vehicular emissions and fumes, Turkey is considering various road-transport policy alternatives for the 2020-2030 period. These include incentives for scrappage, stricter enforcement of emissions standards for diesel trucks, and the continued electrification of the rail network. By analysing the characteristics of the vehicle fleet and the impacts of different policy scenarios on emissions, Turkey aims to develop effective strategies to reduce air pollution and improve public health.

Home cooking and heating

Turkey has a moderate rating for pollution, which indicates that many of its cities have some significant problems with their pollution levels. While Turkey's yearly average in 2019 was in the mid-range of its moderate classification, there were large discrepancies between the cities registered for air quality readings. Some cities had readings within the World Health Organization's (WHO) target goal of 0 to 10 μg/m³, while others had exceedingly high pollution levels. The main causes of air pollution in Turkey are vehicle emissions and fumes, with a larger amount coming from older and outdated vehicles that run on diesel. In 2019, Istanbul had dangerously high levels of NO2, over three times the WHO guidelines. The number of vehicles traversing Turkey's roads has increased from 4 million in 1990 to 25 million in 2020.

Another source of pollution is home cooking and heating, where materials that produce a lot of smoke and soot are used, such as wood, other dead organic matter, or coal. The burning of coal for home heating is particularly prominent in low-income areas around the capital city of Ankara. As of 2018, Turkish coal is still being burnt for home heating in low-income districts of Ankara and some other cities, which is detrimental as Turkish coal is very low quality.

Emissions also come from coal-fired power stations, factories, and construction sites. As with all rapidly developing countries, there will be a large amount of particulate matter stemming from construction sites and repair work occurring, raising the levels of PM2.5 and PM10 in the air. PM2.5 (and its larger counterpart, PM10) stands for particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, making it over 30 times smaller than a human hair and presenting grave health risks to those who inhale these microscopic particles.

Air pollution is a health risk in Turkey, with almost everyone across the country exposed to more than the World Health Organization's guidelines. Over 30,000 people die each year from air pollution-related illnesses, accounting for over 8% of the country's deaths. Air pollution is particularly harmful to children's health and increases the risk of respiratory infections. Researchers estimate that reducing air pollution to World Health Organization limits would save seven times the number of lives that were lost in traffic accidents in 2017.

Factories and power plants

Turkey is a newly industrialised country and a regional power with a population of about 83.1 million as of 2019. As a rapidly developing country, Turkey faces problems with air quality, which is attributed to massive economic growth and the emergence of urban infrastructure. In 2019, Turkey's PM2.5 readings were 20.62 μg/m³, placing it in the ''moderate' pollution bracket. While this is not disastrous, it indicates that many Turkish cities struggle with pollution levels.

In addition to coal-fired power plants, other factories and industrial sites contribute to air pollution through emissions and the release of gaseous or particulate matter byproducts. For example, plastic factories release burnt plastic fumes, which contain toxic chemicals. Turkey's industrial sector accounts for more than half of the country's total emissions, including air pollutants, and the country has not ratified the Gothenburg Protocol on air pollution. The lack of a defined limit value for fine particles (PM2.5) is a significant concern, and many air quality observation stations do not conduct adequate measurements, hindering the ability to monitor and address pollution effectively.

To address these issues, Turkey has implemented various measures, such as increasing the electrification of its rail network and enforcing stricter diesel truck emissions standards. The country has also made progress in waste management, noise control, and industrial pollution control. However, additional legislative and institutional efforts are needed, especially in nature protection, chemicals management, climate change mitigation, and water management.

Construction sites

Turkey's air pollution is the most lethal of the country's environmental issues, with almost everyone across the country exposed to more than the World Health Organization's guidelines. Over 30,000 people die each year from air pollution-related illnesses, which is over 8% of the country's deaths. Air pollution is particularly harmful to children. Researchers believe that reducing air pollution to World Health Organization limits would save more lives than those lost in road accidents in 2017.

The main causes of air pollution in Turkey are vehicle emissions, factories, and power plants, as well as construction sites and similar areas such as road repairs, demolition sites, and mining. The burning of coal and other materials for cooking and heating in homes, especially in low-income areas around Ankara, is also a significant contributor. The number of vehicles on Turkey's roads has increased from 4 million in 1990 to 25 million in 2020, and vehicle density is the main factor affecting air pollution levels. Older, outdated vehicles that run on diesel are a particular problem, as they emit higher levels of pollutants.

While Turkey is one of the most water-rich countries in the Mediterranean, population growth and unplanned urban expansion have put pressure on water resources, and water demand continues to increase due to drought and climate change. Turkey's water infrastructure includes dams, irrigation and drainage systems, and groundwater wells, with 1,170 domestic wastewater treatment facilities in service or under construction. However, only 15 of these facilities were able to produce reusable water in 2017, and the reuse rate of domestic wastewater is very low at 0.78%.

The construction of more dams to compensate for diminishing water resources can cause irreversible damage to the region's historical and cultural heritage. Additionally, population growth and illegal settling have led to insufficient water supply to meet the needs of the population, and old, damaged water networks cause substantial water losses.

Air pollution health risks

Air pollution in Turkey is the most lethal of the country's environmental issues, with almost everyone across the country exposed to more than World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Over 30,000 people die each year from air pollution-related illnesses, accounting for over 8% of the country's deaths. The main sources of air pollution in Turkey are vehicle emissions, factories, power plants, construction sites, and the burning of fossil fuels like coal and diesel for home cooking and heating. These emissions contain various contaminants, including dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke, and vapour, which can have detrimental effects on human health.

One of the most significant health risks associated with air pollution is the increased likelihood of respiratory infections, especially in highly polluted cities. High levels of air pollution can lead to reduced lung function, aggravated asthma, and a higher risk of developing respiratory infections such as bronchitis and COVID-19. Children are particularly vulnerable, with higher pollution levels increasing their short-term respiratory infections and the likelihood of developing asthma and bronchitis symptoms in adulthood. Additionally, air pollution is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including cardiac problems, heart disease, and stroke.

Another concern is the potential impact on cognitive and neurological development, especially in children. Exposure to air pollution has been associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and neurological diseases, and emotional problems later in adolescence. Fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and travel to organs, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells. This can lead to oxidative stress, inflammation, and mutagenicity, impacting not only the lungs but also the heart, brain, and other vital organs.

The health risks associated with air pollution exposure can vary depending on individual characteristics and underlying health conditions. Certain groups, such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people living with chronic conditions, are more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution. Additionally, psychosocial stress factors, such as poverty and racial/ethnic discrimination, can amplify the harmful effects of air pollution, disproportionately impacting specific subgroups within the population.

Furthermore, air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Studies have found associations between air pollution exposure and various types of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified air pollution as a human carcinogen.

Frequently asked questions