Deaths due to air pollution in Turkey approach 70 thousand: The 10 provinces with the worst air quality have been identified

The Black Report 2024, prepared regularly by the THHP since 2016 to examine air quality in Turkey and the effects of air pollution on human health, has been published.

The report emphasizes that air pollution is one of the most significant environmental costs of burning coal, oil, and natural gas, and of dependence on fossil fuels. It also highlights that while Turkey has detailed legislation regarding air quality management, there are serious problems with the content and implementation of these regulations.

Deniz Gümüşel, Coordinator of the Right to Clean Air Platform, stated at a press conference held in Istanbul regarding the report, "Although the number of stations in the air quality monitoring network across Turkey increased in 2022 and 2023, the efficiency of monitoring air pollution remains very low.

In other words, we have the infrastructure, but we cannot operate this infrastructure effectively. Air quality is not monitored regularly, especially in regions with heavy industry that uses fossil fuels. Unfortunately, more than 92 percent of the population in Turkey still breathes air that is polluted according to World Health Organization standards."

Hakkari emerged as the province with the most polluted air and the highest associated mortality rate. According to World Health Organization values, the provinces with the highest number of deaths attributed to air pollution were Istanbul (8,357), Izmir (4,852), and Bursa (3,657). Across Turkey, the number of deaths due to air pollution exceeded 68 thousand in 2022.

The 10 most polluted provinces were ranked as follows:

1- Aydın

2-Iğdır

3-Hakkari

4-Şırnak

5-Batman

6-Malatya

7-Kahramanmaraş

8-Osmaniye

9-Gaziantep

10-Kilis