Istanbul is a beautiful city, it has amazing greenery, buildings, beaches etc. however, during cold months, air pollution can be noticeable as a haze on top of the big city. Experts caution that the combination of smoke generated from burning coal and wood in households, coupled with the escalating pollution levels in Istanbul, may render citizens more vulnerable to heart and lung diseases. This heightened susceptibility is attributed to the city's expanding urbanization, the increasing volume of vehicles, the proliferation of industrial facilities, and the subsequent surge in demand for fossil fuels.
Professor Hüseyin Toros, a lecturer in Meteorological Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), recently informed Demirören News Agency (DHA) that with urbanization, the rise in the number of vehicles and industrial facilities, and the use of fossil fuels like coal for heating, air pollution rates fluctuate based on meteorological conditions. Nitrogen pollution and dust, primarily emitted by urban vehicles, exert detrimental effects on the entire ecosystem, particularly human health.
Toros emphasized that winter exacerbates air pollution due to heating, pointing out that while individuals may control their food and water intake, they lack the ability to choose the air they breathe. Notably, he highlighted specific areas in Istanbul, including Göztepe in Kadıköy district, Esenyurt, Mecidiyeköy, and Kağıthane, where air pollution is particularly intense. Toros advised citizens to monitor air quality throughout the day via the Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Ministry's website, which features approximately 38 air measuring stations in Istanbul.
Discussing air quality metrics, Toros mentioned that the dust rate in Istanbul currently falls between 50 and 100, with 50 particles per cubic meter of air. Values below 50 are considered "green" or very good, while those between 50 and 100 are only moderately good. Beyond 100, the air becomes notably harmful, especially for sensitive groups.
Cardiologist Professor Dr. Özlem Esen stressed that the heart and lungs are the organs most affected by air pollution. She noted that increased particle levels lead to vascular fluidity deterioration, vascular spasms, and a higher incidence of heart attacks. Winter months, marked by elevated particle counts, correlate with an upswing in heart diseases. Esen also observed difficulties in breathing and blood pressure imbalances, particularly during abrupt changes from hot to cold weather. She recommended outdoor protection, especially through the use of lightweight masks, and urged individuals with chronic conditions like bronchitis, asthma, and heart failure to take extra precautions during cold winter months. Additionally, individuals with multiple drug dependencies such as high blood pressure and diabetes should be vigilant, as heightened air pollution adversely affects blood pressure values. Consequently, Esen concluded by advising long-term chronic patients to protect themselves proactively.
Professor Hüseyin Toros, a lecturer in Meteorological Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), recently informed Demirören News Agency (DHA) that with urbanization, the rise in the number of vehicles and industrial facilities, and the use of fossil fuels like coal for heating, air pollution rates fluctuate based on meteorological conditions. Nitrogen pollution and dust, primarily emitted by urban vehicles, exert detrimental effects on the entire ecosystem, particularly human health.
Toros emphasized that winter exacerbates air pollution due to heating, pointing out that while individuals may control their food and water intake, they lack the ability to choose the air they breathe. Notably, he highlighted specific areas in Istanbul, including Göztepe in Kadıköy district, Esenyurt, Mecidiyeköy, and Kağıthane, where air pollution is particularly intense. Toros advised citizens to monitor air quality throughout the day via the Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Ministry's website, which features approximately 38 air measuring stations in Istanbul.
Discussing air quality metrics, Toros mentioned that the dust rate in Istanbul currently falls between 50 and 100, with 50 particles per cubic meter of air. Values below 50 are considered "green" or very good, while those between 50 and 100 are only moderately good. Beyond 100, the air becomes notably harmful, especially for sensitive groups.
Cardiologist Professor Dr. Özlem Esen stressed that the heart and lungs are the organs most affected by air pollution. She noted that increased particle levels lead to vascular fluidity deterioration, vascular spasms, and a higher incidence of heart attacks. Winter months, marked by elevated particle counts, correlate with an upswing in heart diseases. Esen also observed difficulties in breathing and blood pressure imbalances, particularly during abrupt changes from hot to cold weather. She recommended outdoor protection, especially through the use of lightweight masks, and urged individuals with chronic conditions like bronchitis, asthma, and heart failure to take extra precautions during cold winter months. Additionally, individuals with multiple drug dependencies such as high blood pressure and diabetes should be vigilant, as heightened air pollution adversely affects blood pressure values. Consequently, Esen concluded by advising long-term chronic patients to protect themselves proactively.