What Kazakhstanis breathe: Ministry of Ecology presented monitoring data

Tengrinews.kz — What is the air quality in Kazakhstan's cities, and what substances are being released into the atmosphere? The Ministry of Ecology has released its 2025 monitoring results, identifying the locations with the highest pollution levels.

The monitoring covered 70 settlements. High and very high pollution levels were recorded in 11 locations, while 27 were classified as having elevated levels, and 32 showed low levels. These rankings are assigned by the agency based on air quality observations.

The figures provided below represent the maximum concentrations recorded throughout the year. However, they do not imply that such pollution levels were constant.

Very High and High Pollution Levels

This category includes Karaganda, Temirtau, Satpayev, Abay, Aktobe, Almaty, Talgar, and Turkestan, as well as the villages of Shubarshi, Kenkiyak, and Zhanbay.

The highest exceedance was recorded in Kenkiyak, where hydrogen sulfide concentrations reached 33.4 MPC.

Note: MPC stands for Maximum Permissible Concentration of a substance in the air.

In Shubarshi, hydrogen sulfide levels reached 13.8 MPC, while in Zhanbay, the maximum concentration of pollutants was 6.6 MPC. The ministry identified hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen dioxide as the primary pollutants.

In Karaganda, PM2.5 particulate matter levels reached 27.4 MPC.

The Ministry of Ecology attributed pollution in Karaganda to low-altitude emissions from the residential sector, fuel combustion for home heating, and vehicle emissions. The situation is exacerbated during periods of calm weather when harmful substances fail to disperse effectively.

In Atyrau maximum pollutant concentrations reached 19.7 MPC. The city recorded exceedances of hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, phenol, dust, and ozone. Potential pollution sources include sewage facilities, industrial plants, oil infrastructure, heating boilers, and thermal power plants. Additionally, light winds and low air mixing speeds negatively impacted the situation.

In Aktobe the primary pollutants were hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen dioxide. The maximum concentration of hydrogen sulfide reached 16.1 MPC. The agency cited industrial enterprises, motor vehicles, municipal infrastructure, and sewage pumping stations as contributing factors.

In Temirtau the maximum exceedance reached 9 MPC. Pollutants included dust, PM2.5 particles, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and phenol.

In Almaty the maximum concentration of pollutants reached 9.6 MPC. Exceedances were recorded for nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, PM2.5 and PM10 particles, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, dust, and benzopyrene.

In Zhezkazgan the maximum exceedance was 9.9 MPC. Hydrogen sulfide, dust, PM2.5 and PM10 particles, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and phenol were detected in the air. Possible sources include industrial enterprises, road and rail transport, thermal power engineering, and waste management facilities.

In Satpayev the maximum concentration reached 9.9 MPC. Exceedances were noted for nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and hydrogen sulfide. In the town of Abay, the peak figure was 7.2 MPC; pollutants included sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone.

In the village of Zhanbay, the maximum concentration reached 6.6 MPC. Hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen dioxide were the main contributors to pollution, and exceedances in carbon monoxide were also recorded.

In Ust-Kamenogorsk the peak figure was 5.4 MPC for carbon monoxide. Exceedances were also recorded for sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, phenol, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride, sulfuric acid, ozone, chlorine, and other substances. Pollution sources include industrial plants, motor vehicles, and the residential sector.

In Turkestan the maximum figure reached 4.9 MPC. Nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide were the primary pollutants, with exceedances also noted for nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide.

In Shymkent the maximum exceedance was 3.6 MPC. Pollutants included hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, and suspended particulate matter (airborne dust). The ministry identified stationary sources, such as industrial facilities and motor vehicles, as the primary causes.

In Talgar the maximum concentration reached 3 MPC. Exceedances were recorded for nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone.

Elevated Pollution Levels

This category included 27 settlements: Ust-Kamenogorsk, Zhezkazgan, Atyrau, Kulsary, Shymkent, Ayagoz, Shemonaikha, Altay, Zhitikara, Lisakovsk, Arkalyk, Astana, Zharkent, Zhanaozen, Kyzylorda, Taraz, Shu, Kandyagash, Aralsk, Khromtau, Kentau, the villages of Burlin, Kyzylsay, Ganyushkino, and Inderborskiy, and the village of Makat.

For Kulsary, the ministry cited oil and gas facilities, specialized machinery, and refueling trucks near the monitoring station as potential pollution factors.

Low pollution levels

Low pollution levels were recorded in 32 settlements: Aktau, Ridder, Semey, Kokshetau, Uralsk, Aksay, Taldykorgan, Atbasar, Shchuchinsk, Karatau, Zhanatas, Stepnogorsk, Balkhash, Saran, Kostanay, Rudny, Pavlodar, Petropavl, Ekibastuz, and Aksu.

The list also includes the villages of Ayteke Bi, Burabay, Bestobe, Glubokoye, Auezovo, Korday, Sastobe, Toretam, Akay, Beineu, Aksu, and Shieli.

Air pollutants and their health risks

Hydrogen sulfide — a colorless, toxic gas with a characteristic odor of rotten eggs. It can form during the decomposition of organic matter and enter the air from industrial and oil and gas facilities. It is hazardous to health at high concentrations.

Nitrogen dioxide — a harmful gas produced by burning fuel at industrial plants, power stations, and in vehicle engines. It irritates the respiratory tract, can cause breathing difficulties, and exacerbates asthma.

Carbon monoxide — a colorless, odorless gas formed during the incomplete combustion of fuel. It inhibits the blood's ability to carry oxygen and can cause severe poisoning at high concentrations.

Sulfur dioxide — a gas with a pungent odor released primarily during the combustion of sulfur-containing fuels and in certain industrial processes. It irritates the respiratory tract and is particularly dangerous for people with asthma.

Ammonia — a colorless gas with a sharp odor. In high concentrations, it irritates the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. It can enter the air from industrial and agricultural facilities.

Phenol — a toxic chemical compound used in industry that can enter the air through manufacturing emissions. Exposure can irritate mucous membranes and cause internal organ damage.

Ozone — a gas formed at ground level through chemical reactions between pollutants triggered by sunlight. Unlike the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, ground-level ozone is harmful: it irritates the lungs and can impair breathing.

Benzopyrene — a toxic substance formed during the incomplete combustion of organic fuels. It can be found in emissions from transport, heating systems, and industrial sites. It is classified as a carcinogen — a substance capable of increasing the risk of developing cancer.

PM2.5 and the PM10 — fine suspended particulate matter found in the air. PM2.5 particles have a diameter of up to 2.5 micrometers, while PM10 particles are up to 10 micrometers. They can penetrate the respiratory system, with the smallest particles reaching deep into the lungs. Exposure to particulate-polluted air is linked to an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Dust and other suspended particulates — a mixture of tiny solid particles released into the air by industrial operations, traffic, construction, and fuel combustion. They irritate the respiratory tract, with the impact depending on particle size and chemical composition.

Hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen chloride — corrosive gaseous compounds that can enter the air through industrial emissions. When inhaled, they irritate the eyes and respiratory tract.

Sulfuric acid — a corrosive chemical that may be present in the air as fine droplets or aerosol. It irritates and damages the respiratory tract and can cause chemical burns with significant exposure.

Chlorine — a toxic gas with a pungent, suffocating odor used in industry. Inhalation irritates and damages the respiratory tract, and high concentrations can cause severe lung damage.

Government response and ministerial actions

The Committee for Environmental Regulation and Control of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources recently held a board meeting to review performance for the first nine months of 2026. Air pollution in industrial cities was a key topic of discussion.

Regional departments were instructed to work alongside local administrations (akimats) and Kazhydromet to analyze air quality and develop measures accounting for primary pollution sources, seasonality, and weather conditions.

Nineteen roadmaps for improving the environmental situation have been developed in the regions. These include 597 specific measures, 276 of which have already been implemented, according to the ministry.

The agency also reported on the implementation of automated emission monitoring systems at industrial sites. A total of 113 enterprises are required to install them; equipment is already in place at 90. Connection and testing are underway at five sites, while systems are being implemented at 23 others.

During the reporting period, territorial ecology departments conducted 1,145 inspections, identifying 3,202 violations and issuing 1,759 orders for corrective action. The ministry reported 3,020 administrative fines totaling 95.9 billion tenge. The board called for stricter oversight of order compliance and the operations of enterprises with significant environmental impact.

The ministry also stated that it continues to refine environmental legislation and transition large industrial enterprises to the best available techniques and integrated environmental permits. These measures involve production modernization and a phased reduction of environmental impact.

Pollution in certain settlements has also been recorded throughout the current year. According to August monitoring data, very high levels of air pollution were noted in Karaganda, Astana, and the village of Shubarshi, while high levels were recorded in Aktobe, Almaty, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Arkalyk, Petropavlovsk, and Khromtau. Karaganda was also placed in the very high pollution category in previous months.