The air quality in Uzbekistan, particularly in its capital city, Tashkent, has reached alarming levels, making it one of the top three most polluted cities globally, Vlad Ten, a Software Engineer shared on LinkedIn. On January 11, the Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 190+, prompting serious concerns about the potential impact on the cognitive abilities of its residents.
IQAir, a global air quality information platform, reported Tashkent's unsettling position in the rankings. While being among the top cities is usually a matter of pride, being recognized for pollution raises a red flag. Research has consistently demonstrated the detrimental effects of air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), on cognitive functions, increasing the risk of dementia.
The current PM2.5 concentration in Tashkent stands at a staggering 21 times the annual air quality guideline set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Links to these studies underscoring the link between air pollution and cognitive decline will be provided later, but the bottom line is clear – the very air we breathe might be making us dumber.
Amid the fervor surrounding digitalization, blockchain, AI, and venture capital, the need to address the immediate threat to public health cannot be ignored. If we aspire to make our cities conducive to human habitation, prioritizing air quality is imperative. The alternative, of resigning to be replaced by machines, seems far-fetched and irrelevant in the face of a tangible and pressing crisis.
Earlier Daryo reported that taking a step towards ameliorating the situation, the Environmental Department of Tashkent city has initiated monitoring activities, focusing on manufacturing enterprises falling under the I and II categories in Sergeli and Yangihayot districts. The Department of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Tashkent City Prosecutor's Office, in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Monitoring, Climate Change, and Combating Desertification (Analytical Laboratory), conducted comprehensive monitoring operations. Specific instructions were issued to enterprises, emphasizing the proper functioning of dust and gas cleaning equipment, maintaining adequate levels of dust and gas cleaning, and minimizing harmful substance emissions in compliance with environmental regulations.
This development echoes similar environmental concerns in neighboring countries, as reported by Daryo regarding Pakistan's struggle with smog in cities like Lahore. The dire impact on air quality and visibility during the smog season has become a shared challenge, transcending borders and demanding collective action to combat the growing threat.
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