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Istanbul's air pollution rose 11% year-on-year in August 2026, with the city's average particulate matter concentration climbing to 31.9 micrograms per cubic meter from 28.87 micrograms per cubic meter a year earlier, according to a study conducted by Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency.
The findings, based on readings across 26 monitoring stations, showed 17 stations recorded increases in particulate matter levels while nine recorded declines over the same period, indicating that the citywide rise was not uniform across all districts.
Prof. Huseyin Toros, head of ITU's Department of Meteorological Engineering at the Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, led the research and compared readings from August 2025 and August 2026 from monitoring stations operated by Türkiye's Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
The study measured particulate matter known as PM10, airborne particles up to 10 micrometers in diameter that can affect respiratory health when inhaled over extended periods.
Toros attributed the overall increase largely to weather conditions, saying prolonged heat, a lack of rainfall and more stable atmospheric conditions were especially pronounced during the second half of August. He said weakening winds and reduced atmospheric mixing lowered the boundary layer height and the city's ventilation capacity, while limited rainfall and weak convective activity made it harder for pollutants to disperse.
"We compared Istanbul's August air pollution figures with the same period last year and found an increase compared to the same period last year," Toros said, adding that the shift in weather patterns during the latter half of the month played a central role in the change.
Toros said measurements varied by location across the city, with some areas recording declines in particulate matter while others saw substantial increases, a pattern he said reflects the combined influence of local conditions alongside broader meteorological factors.
He said many factors can drive pollution levels up or down from year to year, and that tracking these figures closely matters given their implications for public health. Toros added that closer monitoring of air quality is particularly important during periods when winds weaken, rainfall decreases and atmospheric stability increases, as such conditions tend to trap pollutants closer to ground level.
ITU said it tracks Istanbul's air pollution levels regularly as part of its ongoing climate and meteorology research, comparing year-on-year data to identify longer-term trends in the city's air quality.
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