Bronte Wells
Turkey is a rapidly developing country with a population of over 83 million people as of 2019. As a result of this economic growth and the emergence of urban infrastructure, Turkey has been facing problems with air quality. The main causes of air pollution in Turkey are vehicle emissions, factories, power plants, and construction sites. The number of vehicles on Turkey's roads has increased from 4 million in 1990 to 25 million in 2020, with 45% of cars being over 10 years old and energy-inefficient in 2019. In addition, Turkey has many coal-fired power plants and factories that emit pollutants and particulate matter. Other sources of air pollution include the burning of coal and other materials for cooking and heating in low-income households, and second-hand smoke, with over a quarter of adults in Turkey smoking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Causes of Air Pollution | Vehicle emissions and fumes, particularly from older and outdated vehicles that run on diesel or leaded fuels, as well as heavy-duty vehicles such as large trucks and buses. |
| Factory emissions, with a significant contribution from coal-fired power plants. | |
| Gaseous or particulate matter byproducts from various industrial processes, such as plastic production or recycling, which release burnt plastic fumes. | |
| Construction sites, road repairs, demolition sites, and mining activities. | |
| Burning of coal and other materials in homes for cooking and heating, particularly in low-income areas around Ankara. | |
| Air Pollutants | Nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, tropospheric ozone, and particulate matter (PM) of various sizes, including PM2.5 and PM10. |
| Health Impact | Air pollution is a significant public health problem in Turkey, causing morbidity and mortality. |
| It affects vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and pregnant women, and is linked to respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular issues, as well as lung and bladder cancer. | |
| The HEAL report estimates that the health costs associated with coal-fired power stations make up 13-27% of Turkey's total annual health expenditure. | |
| Air Quality Index (AQI) | Turkey's AQI includes PM10, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, tropospheric ozone, and PM between 10 and 2.5 microns in diameter. |
| In 2019, Turkey's PM2.5 readings were 20.62 μg/m³, placing it in the 'moderate' pollution bracket. | |
| In 2016, the average PM2.5 concentration was 42 μg/m³, exceeding the WHO guideline of 10 μg/m³. | |
| Certain cities, including Batman, Hakkari, Siirt, Iğdır, Afyon, Gaziantep, Karaman, and Isparta, have dangerous levels of PM2.5. | |
| Measures and Targets | Turkey plans to meet EU limits for air pollution by 2024. |
| Electrification of transport: Turkey aims to increase the proportion of electric cars in use to 10% by 2030, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. | |
| Enforcement of diesel truck emissions standards and the continued electrification of the rail network are also being considered. |
What You'll Learn
Vehicle emissions
The impact of vehicle emissions on Turkey's air pollution is exacerbated by the lack of stringent emission regulations. Unlike many European countries, Turkey does not have limits on very small airborne particles (PM2.5), which are known to cause lung diseases. The absence of regulations and monitoring for PM2.5 particles makes it challenging to control and reduce their presence in the air. As a result, cities across Turkey, including Ankara, have visible smog and high levels of air pollutants.
Diesel-powered heavy-duty vehicles, such as large trucks and buses, are also significant contributors to vehicular pollution in Turkey. These vehicles release large amounts of black smoke and harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. In addition, the high purchase taxes on new cars have resulted in an ageing vehicle fleet, with about 45% of cars being over 10 years old and energy-inefficient in 2019. This ageing fleet contributes to higher emissions and air pollution levels.
To address the issue of vehicle emissions, Turkey has proposed several countermeasures. One suggestion is to enforce stricter regulations on diesel truck emissions, helping to remove old and polluting vehicles from the roads. Additionally, there are plans to increase the proportion of electric cars in use to 10% by 2030, which would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The production of Turkey's first national electric car model is expected to start in 2022, marking a step towards reducing vehicle emissions and improving air quality in the country.
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Coal-fired power plants
Turkey's air pollution is largely caused by vehicle emissions and fumes, with a significant contribution from older vehicles that run on diesel or leaded fuels. However, coal-fired power plants also play a significant role in the country's air pollution.
Turkey has 55 coal-fired power plants, the highest number in Europe after Russia. These power plants emit harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide. In 2019, emissions from coal-fired power plants rose by 14% to over a megatonne, with the Kemerköy and Afşin-Elbistan power stations being the biggest polluters, emitting 300 kilotonnes each.
The health impacts of coal-fired power plants are significant. According to the HEAL report, the health costs associated with illnesses caused by these power plants account for between 13% and 27% of Turkey's total annual health expenditure. Greenpeace Mediterranean has identified the Afşin-Elbistan power plants as the highest-risk power plants in a European country, followed by the Soma power station.
Turkey's utilities have struggled to keep up with the increasing demand for energy, resulting in a heavy reliance on coal plants. This reliance has been further exacerbated by recent shortfalls in local output from hydropower dams due to droughts. To meet the high demand for coal, Turkey has become the largest importer of coal in Europe, with imports totalling 24.2 million metric tons in 2023. As a result, Turkey has become Europe's largest producer of coal-fired electricity, surpassing Germany and Poland.
Turkey's coal-fired power plants have a significant impact on the country's air quality and public health. The government has implemented some measures, such as the electrification of the rail network and stricter enforcement of diesel truck emissions, to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality. However, more action is needed to address the emissions from coal-fired power plants and reduce the health risks associated with them.
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Factories
Turkey's status as a rapidly developing country has led to a massive economic growth spurt and the emergence of urban infrastructure. However, this has also resulted in several problems with air quality. One of the main causes of air pollution in Turkey is factory emissions, with a significant number of coal-fired power plants and factories releasing their own pollutants. These include gaseous or particulate matter byproducts of whatever is being produced at a particular factory. For instance, a plastic factory will inevitably release burnt plastic fumes.
The burning of coal in Turkey is a major contributor to air pollution, with emissions from coal-fired power plants causing severe impacts on public health. The HEAL report estimates that the health costs of illnesses caused by coal-fired power stations make up between 13% and 27% of Turkey's total annual health expenditure. Greenpeace Mediterranean has identified the coal-fired power plants in Afşin-Elbistan as the power plants with the highest health risk in a European country, followed by the Soma power station.
In addition to coal-fired power plants, other factories in Turkey also contribute to air pollution. For example, cement production is known to have environmental impacts, and the emission levels of persistent organic pollutants are regulated, but totals for these emissions were not reported in 2019. As Turkey continues to develop and industrialize, it is likely that factory emissions will remain a significant contributor to air pollution.
To address this issue, Turkey needs to implement stricter regulations and emission limits for factories, particularly coal-fired power plants. Additionally, investing in cleaner technologies and renewable energy sources can help reduce the air pollution caused by factories. Turkey's plan to increase the proportion of electric cars in use to 10% by 2030 is a step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and similar initiatives are needed to tackle factory emissions.
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Construction sites
The impact of construction sites on air quality is further exacerbated by the lack of adequate air quality monitoring and regulations in Turkey. Many air quality observation stations do not conduct thorough measurements, making it challenging to accurately assess the extent of pollution caused by construction activities. This deficiency in data collection hinders the implementation of effective countermeasures and the establishment of evidence-based causal relationships between construction site emissions and their impact on public health.
Additionally, the regulations in Turkey do not address restrictions on particles smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5). These fine particles, which are commonly emitted during construction, pose significant health risks as they can be inhaled deep into the lungs. The absence of regulatory limits on PM2.5 levels means that construction sites may contribute to elevated concentrations of these harmful particles without legal repercussions.
To mitigate the air pollution caused by construction sites in Turkey, comprehensive measures should be implemented. This includes improving air quality monitoring systems to ensure accurate data collection and comprehensive assessments of pollution levels. Based on this data, stricter regulations and emission limits specifically targeting construction site pollutants should be established and enforced.
Furthermore, promoting the use of advanced dust control technologies and best practices at construction sites can significantly reduce particulate matter emissions. This involves employing techniques such as wet suppression, where water is used to capture dust particles, and utilizing specialized equipment like dust collection systems to capture and remove particulate matter from the air.
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Home heating and cooking
The burning of coal and other materials in homes for cooking and heating is a significant contributor to air pollution in Turkey, particularly in low-income areas around the capital city of Ankara and some other cities. Turkish coal is of very low quality, and its combustion releases harmful emissions that severely impact public health.
As a rapidly developing and newly industrialized country, Turkey's economic growth and urban infrastructure development have led to air quality issues. The country's air pollution levels pose a widespread public health concern, with research indicating that vulnerable populations, such as children, seniors, and pregnant women, are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution.
The burning of coal for home heating and cooking contributes to the overall air pollution problem in Turkey. Low-quality coal releases particulate matter (PM), including fine particles smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), which are not adequately regulated or monitored in Turkey. These fine particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, causing lung diseases and increasing the risk of respiratory infections.
Additionally, the combustion of coal releases other harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). Nitrogen oxides are known to cause asthma, and sulfur dioxide contributes to respiratory and cardiovascular issues. The emissions from burning coal for home heating and cooking add to the overall pollution levels in Turkey, particularly in densely populated areas, affecting the health and well-being of residents.
To improve air quality and reduce the health risks associated with home heating and cooking practices, Turkey needs to implement measures that promote the use of cleaner energy sources for these activities. Encouraging the adoption of alternative heating and cooking technologies, such as electric or renewable energy options, can help reduce the reliance on coal and other polluting fuels in households. Additionally, raising awareness about the health risks associated with indoor air pollution and providing access to resources for improving ventilation and air purification can also help mitigate the impact of home heating and cooking practices on air quality.
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Frequently asked questions
The main causes of air pollution in Turkey are vehicle emissions, factories, power plants, construction sites, and the burning of coal and other materials in homes for cooking and heating.
Older and outdated vehicles that run on diesel or leaded fuels, as well as heavy-duty vehicles such as large trucks and buses, contribute massively to vehicular pollution in Turkey.
Coal-fired power plants emit harmful pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These emissions have severe impacts on public health and are estimated to contribute significantly to Turkey's total annual health expenditure.
Air pollution is a significant public health problem in Turkey, affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular systems. It has been linked to increased morbidity and mortality rates, especially in vulnerable populations such as children, seniors, and pregnant women. Diseases such as ischemic heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been associated with persistent air pollution.
Turkey aims to increase the proportion of electric cars in use to 10% by 2030, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enforce stricter emissions regulations for diesel trucks. The electrification of the rail network and the development of Turkish national electric cars are also being pursued.
