While 3 years have passed since the devastating earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş and Hatay, work continues to heal the wounds and build permanent houses in the region. However, dust density and air pollution problems continue to exist in the region. Debris removal activities, ongoing demolitions, construction site activity and increased vehicle traffic are among the main factors affecting air quality. For tens of thousands of citizens living in cities affected by the earthquake, air pollution continues to be one of the important topics that remains on the agenda despite the passage of time. In this context, the “air quality assessment” report prepared by the ‘Right to Clean Air Platform’ based on official data published by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change revealed that air pollution is still above legal limits in the provinces most affected by the earthquake.
LIMIT VALUE EXCEEDED
While the annual average PM10 limit value determined by the Ministry was defined as 40 micrograms/cubic meter, the average of measurements for 2025 showed that this threshold value was exceeded in many cities in the earthquake zone. In the statistical calculations made PM10 levels increased to 3.2 times the limit value in the Elbistan-Kahramanmaraş line, which is one of the points where particulate matter density reaches the highest levels, It was emphasized that this rate was measured as 2.8 times in Malatya and Osmaniye, and 2.5 times the limit value in Hatay. The data revealed that air quality has not yet reached the desired level, especially in areas where debris removal, demolition and ongoing construction activities are intense.
POLLUTION PROBLEM IN HATAY
The following data were obtained from the average of the measurements; The annual average PM10 value in Hatay İskenderun Center was measured as 98.5 micrograms/cubic meter. The average level in Hatay Iskenderun was 80.21 micrograms/cubic meter. While the average of 111.23 micrograms/cubic meter attracted attention in Osmaniye, this value was recorded as 72.75 micrograms/cubic meter in Osmaniye Kadirli. Although the annual average measured in Adıyaman seems to be lower than other provinces, with 37.1 micrograms/cubic meter, it is quite close to the limit value in the general picture of the region. While an average of 111.73 micrograms/cubic meter was measured in Malatya, the highest annual average value in the region was recorded in Kahramanmaraş Elbistan with 128.27 micrograms/cubic meter. In Kahramanmaraş Onikişubat district, the average PM10 level was measured as 66.52 micrograms/cubic meter.
IT MUST BE WORKED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEGISLATION
Clean Air Right Platform Coordinator Deniz Gümüşel, while commenting on the resulting data, said, “Air quality in the region should be monitored regularly and the measurement results should be fully shared with the public. Measurements of PM2.5, which are finer particulate matter and can cause many deaths, should be started without delay. “Debris storage and separation areas should be removed from residential areas and the reconstruction process should be carried out in accordance with the legislation by applying dust management techniques,” he said.
IT AFFECTS THE RISK GROUP
Former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Öztürk stated that air pollution in the earthquake region continues and said, “Dust pollution is caused by improper building demolition, removal of debris without taking environmental precautions and wild storage of debris. Babies, children, pregnant women, the elderly and citizens with chronic diseases are more affected by pollution. It is known that PM2.5, which is the finer form of particulate matter, can reach the deep parts of the lungs and have more severe effects on health.”
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