Istanbul’s particulate matter pollution, referring to airborne particles measuring 10 micrometers or less in diameter (PM10), fell 7% in July from the same month last year, according to a study by Istanbul Technical University (ITÜ), although pollution levels increased at several monitoring stations across the city.
The study, conducted by Prof. Hüseyin Toros, head of the Department of Climate Science and Meteorological Engineering at ITÜ’s Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, compared PM10 levels recorded in Istanbul in July 2025 and July 2026.
Data from 26 air quality monitoring stations operated by the Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Ministry and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality showed that the citywide average PM10 concentration declined to 29.77 micrograms per cubic meter in July, from 32.04 micrograms per cubic meter a year earlier.
The highest concentration was recorded at the Sultangazi 3 station, at 56.66 micrograms per cubic meter, followed by Kağıthane 1 at 55.31 and Sultangazi 2 at 51.41 micrograms.
The lowest level was measured at Kandilli 1, at 14.14 micrograms per cubic meter. Üsküdar 1 recorded 15.75 micrograms, while Ümraniye 1 registered 16.15 micrograms.
PM10 levels declined at 17 of the 26 stations but increased at nine. The sharpest rise was recorded in Sarıyer, where pollution increased 76.37% year on year, followed by Kumköy with a 64.51% increase.
Meanwhile, Ümraniye 1 recorded the largest decline at 46.76%, followed by Üsküdar 1 at 40.95% and Yenibosna at 40.21%.
Toros said the overall decline in particulate matter was encouraging but noted that the increases at some stations showed that localized sources of air pollution remain.
He said the improvement could not be attributed to a single factor, pointing to measures aimed at reducing transportation emissions, stronger environmental practices in industry, improvements in fuel quality and meteorological conditions as factors that may have contributed to the decline.
"While the decline in average values across Istanbul is a positive development, increases at some stations show that regional sources of air pollution continue," Toros said.
He stressed that environmentally friendly practices in transportation, industry, energy use and urban development should be maintained to ensure sustained improvements in air quality.
Toros also urged residents to contribute by using public transportation, conserving energy, expanding green spaces and supporting efforts to reduce emissions.
"Recent data show that air quality in Istanbul is generally improving. For this positive trend to become permanent, both institutions and citizens must continue to adopt environmentally conscious approaches," he said.
