Istanbul’s particulate matter pollution, referring to airborne particles measuring 10 micrometers or less in diameter (PM10), fell 7% in July from the same month last year, according to a study by Istanbul Technical University (ITÜ), although pollution levels increased at several monitoring stations across the city.
The study, conducted by Prof. Hüseyin Toros, head of the Department of Climate Science and Meteorological Engineering at ITÜ’s Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, compared PM10 levels recorded in Istanbul in July 2025 and July 2026.
Data from 26 air quality monitoring stations operated by the Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Ministry and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality showed that the citywide average PM10 concentration declined to 29.77 micrograms per cubic meter in July, from 32.04 micrograms per cubic meter a year earlier.
The highest concentration was recorded at the Sultangazi 3 station, at 56.66 micrograms per cubic meter, followed by Kağıthane 1 at 55.31 and Sultangazi 2 at 51.41 micrograms.
The lowest level was measured at Kandilli 1, at 14.14 micrograms per cubic meter. Üsküdar 1 recorded 15.75 micrograms, while Ümraniye 1 registered 16.15 micrograms.
