Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan presently experiences an annual mean PM2.5 exposure of 31.4 µg/m³, significantly exceeding the WHO’s recommended guideline, and resulting in Uzbekistan among the severely polluted nations in Central Asia in terms of air pollution. This has had serious health consequences, with 130 deaths per 100,000 people recorded in 2021 due to fine particulate matter exposure. The major causes of premature mortality from air pollution in Uzbekistan were stroke (25%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (21%), ischemic heart disease (21%), tracheal, bronchus and lung cancer (19%), and type 2 diabetes (19%).

The number of vehicles has surged in recent years, with transport-related greenhouse gas emissions reaching 17.1 million tons of CO₂ equivalent in 2022, marking a record high. Industrial emissions have also grown substantially, driven by the cement industry, metal production, and other industrial processes, which remain among the largest contributors to national CO₂ output.

Winter months display the highest concentrations, often rising above 80–120 µg/m³, while concentrations in the summer months drop below 20 µg/m³ with minimal variation. Despite year-to-year fluctuations, this strong winter–summer contrast persists across the entire 2000–2024 period. Monthly maximum PM2.5 values in Tashkent reveal severe winter pollution spikes. Boxplots show wide dispersion from December to February, with peaks exceeding 150–200 µg/m³. In contrast, summer months remain stable with low maximum values under 50 µg/m³, highlighting strong seasonal extremes and occasional acute pollution events.

Annual PM2.5 averages for Tashkent, Namangan, and Samarkand show persistently elevated levels since 2000. Samarkand records the highest concentrations, Tashkent remains in the mid-range, and Namangan shows the lowest but still elevated values. All cities consistently exceed the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, indicating long-term air quality challenges. SO₂ trends reveal notable differences between cities. Samarkand maintains the highest annual concentrations, typically between 4–6 µg/m³, while Namangan shows moderate levels around 2.5–3.5 µg/m³. Tashkent remains the lowest, usually under 1.5 µg/m³. Overall SO₂ levels are stable but remain elevated in Samarkand.

Black carbon levels generally fluctuate between 0.05 and 0.25 µg/m³ throughout the year, with occasional spikes above 0.4–0.5 µg/m³ in certain years. Higher concentrations appear most frequently during summer and early autumn months (June–October), whereas some years exhibit pronounced peaks, especially around July, September, and October.

Uzbekistan is taking decisive action for clean air. The government is rolling out hundreds of automated air monitoring stations nationwide and requiring advanced filtration systems at major factories. Businesses in cities like Tashkent now face regular inspections, and over 100 have been suspended for violating pollution standards. There are strict regulations for construction sites, heavy transport, and the use of fuel oils in heating.