In Turkey, air pollution kills more people than any other environmental issue. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) says 99% of the global population breathes unsafe air.[1][2] No province in Turkey meets the WHO guidelines for clean air.[3] In 2024, more than 60,000 people in that country are estimated to have died from air-pollution-related illnesses.[4] Air pollution is particularly damaging to children's health.[5]
Air pollution has been shown to cause cancer,[18] and to contribute to respiratory, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.[19][20]Asthma is expensive to treat[21] and can be caused by exposure to nitrogen oxides.[22] A study of air pollution and asthma in Niğde between 2006 to 2010 showed reporting of asthma cases was closely related to ambient sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentrations.[23] Daily variations in air pollutants were studied in İstanbul from 2013 to 2015 in relation to respiratory hospital admissions. The air pollutants PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and PM10 were shown to increase the risk of hospital admissions for respiratory diseases.[24] Another study examined air pollutants and pediatric emergency-room visits to a tertiary hospital in Istanbul between January 2016 and December 2023. They reported increases in nitric oxide (NO), NOx, PM2.5, NO2, and PM10 were associated with more asthma-related pediatric visits to the emergency room.[25]
Right to Clean Air Platform Turkey estimates one in seven deaths (68,000) in 2022 were due to air pollution.[17] Other estimates of annual excess mortality range from 37,000 due to PM2.5[26] to 60,000 from fossil-fuel use.[27]:7 In many places, the health effects of air pollution cannot be estimated because there is not enough monitoring of PM10 and PM2.5 particulates;[28][29] average excess deaths, compared to the number of deaths that would occur if WHO air-pollution guidelines were followed, is estimated to be 0.4 years per person.[30] This will vary by location because air pollution is more severe in some cities.[31]
As of 2024, Turkey's National Energy Balance statistics do not split road-transport fuel into petrol and diesel.[14]:10As of 2025[update], fewer than 5% of the country's cars were electric or hybrid, with diesel, petrol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) each over 30%.[34] Increasing the proportion of electric cars in use in Turkey to 10% by 2030 would also reduce the country's greenhouse-gas emmissions.[35] There are high purchase taxes on new cars.[36] There are no clean air zones and tariffs on electric cars are higher than on combustion cars.[9] Continued electrification of the rail network and high-speed line expansion are underway.[37]
Home heating and cooking
In 2022, most fine-particulate (PM2.5) pollution in Turkey came from residential combustion for cooking and heating.[14]:12 Despite economic growth, the country's poorest families still use solid-biomass fuels such as wood,[38] which pollutes some cities.[39]:122[40][41] At a slightly higher level of energy source, people use charcoal and low-quality Turkish coal.[38][42][43] The use of these fuels increases indoor air pollution and is a health hazard; low-tier fuels are more harmful to human health.[38] Higher-income families may use modern fuels such as natural gas or electricity, which cause less pollution and can lead to better health outcomes. Electricity supply, however, is often insufficient to meet a family's heating needs. If electricity is supplemented with low-quality biofuels, indoor air-pollution levels will increase and negatively affect health outcomes.[38]
Women, children, and the elderly, who may spend more time indoors and deal with cooking, are most likely to suffer ill health due to indoor air pollution. Income, education and home ownership are associated with use of higher-grade fuels for heating and cooking, and with better health.[38]
Under Turkish legislation, new industrial facilities must achieve at least a Class D Industrial Green Transformation Certificate (70% compliance with Best Available Techniques[47]), whereas existing facilities will be required to obtain a minimum Class F (50%) before 2029 and a minimum Class D certification before 2030.[48] This is below the recommended levels of the EU Industrial and Livestock Rearing Emissions Directive (IED 2.0).[16]:90
Air pollution is one of the environmental impacts of concrete.[49] Although asbestos was completely banned in 2010, it can still be a risk when older buildings are demolished,[50] and in dumps.[51][52] In some rural areas of Turkey, deposits of regulated asbestos minerals and non-regulated fibrous minerals such as erionite naturally occur, increasing the risk of mesothelioma.[53][54]
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) says pollution from coal-fired power stations causes a significant number of illness and early deaths.[55]As of 2025[update], legal action continues,[56] as do allegations of inadequate filtering.[57][58]
Levels of all types of pollutants across the country exceed World Health Organization guidelines.[63][64] Wood burning is a major source of indoor air pollution and contributes to outdoor air pollution.[38]Particulates from transport fuel use and tyre wear of vehicles are a danger to people's lungs. Regulations in Turkey do not restrict particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) that cause lung diseases.[65] There is no limit on PM2.5[66] and limits for other pollutants (except SO2) are above WHO guidelines:
Although there is some monitoring of air pollution, many air pollution indicators are not available.[69][70] The country's air quality index omits particles smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) but includes nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, tropospheric ozone, and particles between 10 and 2.5 microns in diameter (PM10).[71]
There are hourly, daily and yearly average limits for pollutants around coal-fired power stations in a radius 50 times the chimney height:[72][73]
Pollutant
Duration
Unit
Limit
SO2
Hourly (not to be exceeded more than 24 times in a year)
μg/m3
350
24 hours
125
Long-term limit
60
Yearly and winter (1 Oct - 31 Mar)
20
NO2
Hourly (not to be exceeded more than 18 times in a year)
250 (200 from 2024)
Yearly
40
PM10
Hourly (not to be exceeded more than 35 times in a year)
Turkey emits about one percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.[82] Because most of the country's air pollution is caused by the burning of fossil fuels, Turkey's air pollution would be reduced by low emission zones for city traffic, and the replacement of free distribution of coal for poor families with a different support.[83] Climate-change mitigation would be a co-benefit of the main health benefits, and health improvement would be a co-benefit of climate-change mitigation.[84][85][86] For example, the closure of Afşin A power plant to reduce carbon dioxide emissions would also reduce local air pollution and benefit the health of local residents.[87][88]
Some industrial companies reach Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 305 emissions standard.[92] There is a pollutant release and transfer register, but as of September 2024 no years are publicly searchable because it is not yet technically complete, and it is unknown what exemptions will be granted[93] or when the register will be completed.[14]:14 Turkey has eight regional clean-air centres.[94]
Coal and wood are still burnt to heat some older buildings in Turkey. The yellow plaque shows natural gas is available in the street.
Many cities in Turkey are more polluted than typical European cities.[95] Some countries are taking steps to counter pollution; Sofia, Bulgaria, is introducing a low-emission zone, and restricting the burning of coal and wood.[96]
Smog in Istanbul in the early 21st century
Pollution in Istanbul has lessened since the 1990s[97] but traffic is still unhealthy.[98] Street dust is potentially toxic.[99] NO2 is visible in measurements by Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3.[100] Pollution worsens when high-pressure areas trap pollutants near the ground and prevent them from dispersing.[101] Most particles are ultrafine; researchers say ultrafine and black carbon should be continuously monitored.[102]
As of 2022[update], industry in Bursa is a particular problem.[103] NO2 is visible in satellite measurements.[104] A higher-than-average rate of multiple sclerosis (MS) may be related to local industry in Ereğli.[105]
In 2025 the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said poor air quality is a structural weakness in the economy.[112] The effects of air pollution on the economy via damage to health may be billions of euros.[113][114] A study of 2015-16 hospital admissions in Erzincan estimated direct costs of air pollution as 2.5% of total health-related expenditures for the 15–34 and over-65 age groups, but stated the total cost is likely much higher;[115] for example, the economic costs of reductions in the intelligence of adults[116] and children[117] have not been estimated. According to medical group Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), reducing PM2.5 air pollution in Turkey would substantially increase GDP.[118]
According to the OECD, in 2019, the exemption of bitumen (asphalt) from special consumption tax was a subsidy of 5.9billion lira.[119] In hot weather, bitumen, which is used for road surfaces, releases secondary organic aerosols, which can damage health.[120]
Proposed solutions
Electric buses were introduced in the early 2020s but are not widespread
In the Constitution of Turkey, Article 56 says: "Everyone has the right to live in a healthy and balanced environment. It is the duty of the State and citizens to improve the natural environment, to protect the environmental health and to prevent environmental pollution."[121]
The phasing out of coal is said to be essential.[122] The strengthening of environmental laws would benefit Turkey's economy.[123] According to HEAL, over 500 premature deaths per year could be avoided by closing three power stations in Muğla.[124]
Electric ferryboats have been proposed for the Bosphoros.[125][126][127] A low-emission zone for road traffic has been suggested for Istanbul,[128] and it has been suggested Turkey's vehicle tax system should be changed to better charge for pollution.[129] More green space is suggested for cities.[130] The taxing of pollution by internal flights and a further improvement of the country's railways have also been suggested.[131]
History
The burning of wood indoors in Turkey has caused pollution since at least the Neolithic.[132] Lead was first smelted around 5,000 BC in Anatolia. In 535 AD, Justinian I acknowledged the importance of clean air.[133] In the 19th century, air pollution was thought of in terms of miasma, the idea foul smells could cause disease.[134]
Due to the high cost of oil after the 1970s oil crisis, cities increased the burning of lignite for residential heating. An Air Pollution Control Regulation was issued in the 1980s and the monitoring of air quality began in that decade.[135] In early 2020, air pollution in most major cities in Turkey significantly decreased due to COVID-19 restrictions,[136] but tropospheric ozone, a leading cause of smog, increased because fewer particles were available to block sunlight.[137] Air pollution started to rise again by the middle of the year.[64]
↑Kadılar, Gamze Özel; Kadılar, Cem (2018). "Air pollution analysis for Ankara by air pollution index highly correlated with meteorological variables". American Institute of Physics Conference Series. AIP Conference Proceedings. 1991 (1): 020014. Bibcode:2018AIPC.1991b0014K. doi:10.1063/1.5047887.
↑"Turkey". Euracoal. 2020-02-16. Archived from the original on 2018-10-27. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
↑kstk.csb.gov.tr/en. "Background to PRTR in Turkey - Pollutant Release and Transfer Register - Turkey (PRTR-Turkey)". kstk.csb.gov.tr. Retrieved 2025-11-24. the key problem in Turkey that prevents establishing a sustainable and sufficient PRTR system is absence of a legal legislation about PRTR. Therefore facilities do not have a tendency to become a part of any PRTR system or continue reporting. In this context, the establishment of a PRTR system which depends on a strong legislation, administrative capacity and sufficient infrastructure is vital for sustainability. Setting up such a system is Ministry of Environment and Urbanization's duty in Turkey.
↑Hoştut, Sibel; Deren van het Hof, Seçil (2020-01-01). "Greenhouse gas emissions disclosure: comparing headquarters and local subsidiaries". Social Responsibility Journal. 16 (6): 899–915. doi:10.1108/SRJ-11-2019-0377. ISSN1747-1117. S2CID219069970.
↑Unver, Edhem (2019). "The Effect of Air Pollution on Respiratory System Disease Admissions and Health Expenditures". Eurasian Journal of Medical Investigation. doi:10.14744/ejmi.2019.56609. S2CID86515826.
↑Kara, Orkide Nur (2018). "Air pollution in Istanbul"(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original on 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2020-09-21. When operating at a short distance, a ferry needs a battery that can be charged in the time they are in port. The charging time for short distance ferries is short and therefore the service of transport can stay optimal.
Hava Kirliliği Raporu 2019[Air Pollution Report 2019](PDF) (Report) (in Turkish). Chamber of Environmental Engineers. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2020-05-21. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
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