Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
Istanbul’s September PM10 pollution rose 3% from last year
A study by Istanbul Technical University found that Istanbul’s average PM10 pollution rose 3% in September compared with the same month last year.
PM10 is particulate matter measured in the air, and the study used readings from 24 monitoring stations.
The average reached 29.33 micrograms per cubic metre, up from 28.38.
Pollution increased at nine stations and fell at 15, showing that changes varied across the city.
Sultangazi 3 recorded the highest level, while Kandilli 1 recorded the lowest.
The study’s lead researcher said traffic, industry, heating and weather can all affect air quality, and that school traffic may have contributed to the September increase.
Wind, rain and temperature patterns affect how pollutants disperse, and the researcher said the team tracks Istanbul’s air pollution each month.
Istanbul’s average September PM10 concentration rose 3% from the same month last year, according to a study by Istanbul Technical University.
The 2026 average was 29.33 micrograms per cubic metre across 24 monitoring stations, compared with 28.38 in September 2025.
Sultangazi 3 recorded the highest PM10 level, while Kandilli 1 recorded the lowest.
Levels fell at 15 stations and rose at nine.
Professor Hüseyin Toros said traffic, weather and other human activities can affect air quality.
- Who
- Istanbul Technical University researcher Professor Hüseyin Toros studied the city’s PM10 readings.
- What
- Average September PM10 pollution rose 3% year on year.
- When
- September 2026, compared with September 2025.
- Where
- Istanbul, Türkiye.
- Why
- Toros said air quality is affected by weather and human activities, including traffic, industry and heating.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Istanbul’s average PM10 concentration was measured at 28.38 micrograms per cubic metre.
The average PM10 concentration across 24 stations was 29.33 micrograms per cubic metre.
Habertürk published the report on the study.
- Year-on-year change
- PM10 average increased 3%
- 2026 September average
- 29.33 micrograms per cubic metre
- 2025 September average
- 28.38 micrograms per cubic metre
- Monitoring stations
- 24
- Highest reading
- Sultangazi 3, at 61.73 micrograms per cubic metre
- Lowest reading
- Kandilli 1, at 12.96 micrograms per cubic metre
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What people are saying
With the start of education in September, the effect of traffic congestion increased. In particular, movement involving school buses and commuting to and from work increases in the morning and evening. This causes our air quality to deteriorate.