© Armenia Blackouts, 2024-2025
On January 9, the standing committees of the National Assembly of Armenia on territorial administration, local self-government, agriculture and environmental protection, and on healthcare organized a working discussion on the topic “Current state of air pollution in Yerevan, problems and ways to address them.” The main sources of air pollution were identified as construction works, nearby sand quarries, landfills, vehicle emissions, industrial enterprises, and the city’s geographical location. A representative of the municipality noted that in the winter months the maximum permissible concentrations of dust are exceeded by 1.1–3.4 times, which is considered an unfavorable but not hazardous level of pollution. It was emphasized that, if necessary, appropriate steps would be taken to introduce legislative regulation.
Air quality in Yerevan in January 2025:
According to Levon Azizyan, director of the Center for Hydrometeorology and Monitoring, air pollution levels in Yerevan are unfavorable; however, the exceedances of standards are not dangerous to health. It is also noted that air pollution increases during the winter months.
Air quality in Yerevan in December 2024:
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“Expert refutes: Air pollution in Yerevan exists but levels are not critical” on news.am →
Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan has instructed that a four-year comprehensive plan to improve the city's air quality be developed within two months, including measures for greening, establishing shelterbelts (tree belts), and restricting the operation of older vehicles.
Air quality in Yerevan in December 2024:
Read the full article on ecolur.org →
“How Yerevan City Hall Plans to Combat Air Pollution” on radiovan.fm →
“Yerevan to develop a four-year program to improve air quality” on newsarmenia.am →
Air pollution in Yerevan exceeds sanitary standards by 5–7 times. The expert notes that this is linked to unresolved issues in municipal governance and insufficient green spaces.
Air quality in Yerevan in December 2024:
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“Expert Identifies Yerevan's Most Environmentally Unfavorable Districts” on newsarmenia.am →
“"We're breathing poison": expert warns of lethal consequences of air pollution” on newsarmenia.am →
Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan said that rumors about poor air quality in the city are a myth, citing data on low dust levels. However, the fact-checking team 'Provereno' found that PM10 is also an important pollution indicator, and its concentration often exceeds permissible limits.
Air quality in Yerevan in September 2024:
The article discusses conflicting data on air quality in Yerevan provided by the mayor's office and the Hydrometeorology Center. Kristina Vardanyan raises questions about the certification of instruments and the discrepancy between officials' statements and reality.
Air quality in Yerevan in September 2024:
According to data from 85 air monitoring stations in Yerevan, PM2.5 levels do not exceed permissible limits, which disproves the myth of poor air quality in the city.
Air quality in Yerevan in September 2024:
The Ministry of Environment of Armenia has purchased two air quality monitoring stations at a total cost of 298.2 million drams (about $774,000). Each station cost 149.1 million drams. The new stations are expected to arrive in Yerevan in 2025, after which their exact locations will be determined. Currently, five fixed air monitoring stations are operating in Yerevan. In addition, the city administration has received about 130 requests from construction companies to install air quality monitoring devices at construction sites, of which about 60 have already been installed.
Air quality in Yerevan in September 2024:
In Yerevan, 108 devices have been installed to measure dust levels in the air at construction sites classified as risk levels 4 and 5. The data are available online on the municipality's official website.
Air quality in Yerevan in September 2024:
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“108 dust monitors installed in Yerevan” on news.am →
“Yerevan residents can monitor dust air pollution levels through a GIS system” on ecolur.org →
In Yerevan, the main sources of air pollution include construction, transport, the mining industry, degraded lands, the Nubarashen landfill, industrial production, and the energy sector; pollution from dust and nitrogen dioxide often exceeds permissible limits.
Air quality in Yerevan in September 2024:
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“The Environmental Damage of Yerevan's Mines and Its Economic Component” on ecolur.org →
A discussion took place in Yerevan on the implementation of the 'Action Plan for Creating a Green City of Yerevan,' approved in 2017. Municipality representatives reported the implementation of an energy management system, the installation of solar panels on 97 buildings, and an increase in green areas by 35 hectares in 2022–2023. Plans were also discussed to create a new 230-hectare park in the Dalma Gardens area, which would raise green space per capita to 10.3 sq. m.
Air quality in Yerevan in August 2024:
On August 8, 2024, Yerevan City Hall hosted the second and final public hearings on the draft master plan for the city for 2024–2030 and the Strategic Environmental Assessment report. The discussion, which lasted more than four hours, included representatives of Yerevanproekt JSC, the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia, the Yerevan municipality, public organizations, experts, and the media. Issues addressed included irregular development, green spaces, air quality, the sewage system, transportation, waste management, and others.
Air quality in Yerevan in August 2024:
In Yerevan, 248 multi-story buildings are under construction, and almost all of them have violations, raising concerns about air quality. Over six months, 534 administrative protocols were issued for air pollution at construction sites.
Air quality in Yerevan in July 2024:
Yerevan Municipality on its official website presented an online map showing dust pollution levels at 15 construction sites across the city. Since September 2023, the installation of sensors to monitor air quality at construction sites has been mandatory; however, the rollout has been slow, and the data so far do not provide a complete picture of pollution citywide.
Air quality in Yerevan in June 2024:
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“Data on Dust Pollution Levels in Yerevan Will Be Available to Everyone” on ecolur.org →
The article discusses air pollution problems in Gyumri despite measures taken under the 'Green City' program, and highlights the main sources of dust, including construction work and unpaved streets. It also notes the need to establish monitoring and oversight of environmental projects.
Air quality in Yerevan in May 2024:
According to IQAir's 2023 report, only seven countries worldwide meet WHO air quality standards, and Armenia ranked 19th among the most polluted countries. Environmentalist Naira Vardanyan noted that in Yerevan the level of air pollution exceeds the WHO standard by 16 times, with construction sites and vehicle emissions remaining the main sources of pollution. Air pollution, especially PM2.5 particles, contributes to increases in cancer, chronic lung diseases and other pathologies; over 10 years cancer mortality in Yerevan has risen by 65%. Vardanyan emphasizes that existing air protection laws are practically not enforced, and the city needs professional management and strict control over construction and green spaces.
Air quality in Yerevan in March 2024:
Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan stated that data claiming high levels of air pollution in the city, circulated on various websites, are not accurate. He noted that the municipality has installed its own air quality monitoring devices, which show that the situation is not so critical. However, data from these devices are not fully accessible due to technical problems, while independent platforms such as IQAir record exceedances of permissible pollution limits in the city center.
Air quality in Yerevan in January 2024:
Yerevan is experiencing a dangerous exceedance of PM2.5 air pollution levels, which are 12–16 times higher than the World Health Organization's annual guideline limits.
Air quality in Yerevan in December 2023:
Read the full article on ecolur.org →
“Yerevan in fog, smoke, or dust: what the data reveal” on hetq.am →
“Frequent exceedances of dust levels in central Yerevan” on ecolur.org →
Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan said it is necessary to monitor air pollution levels around construction sites using special devices.
Air quality in Yerevan in December 2023:
According to recent estimates, air pollution remains at dangerous levels, leading to chronic diseases and deaths.
Air quality in Yerevan in November 2023:
The mayor's office is confident that violations of construction site organization standards remain one of the main contributors to air pollution.
Air quality in Yerevan in September 2023:
Kristina Loginova, who moved from Russia to Armenia in May 2022, encountered air pollution problems in Yerevan. Finding a lack of air quality data, she assembled and installed sensor devices herself and created the ArmAQI platform, where people can monitor pollution metrics. Her project drew strong interest among local residents looking to install similar devices in their cities.
Air quality in Yerevan in September 2023:
Dust levels in the ambient air in several districts of Yerevan exceed the maximum allowable concentration, indicating serious air quality problems.
Air quality in Yerevan in August 2023:
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“Preventive measures to safeguard air quality continue in Yerevan” on ecolur.org →
Air pollution in Armenia remains at a high level, having increased by 15% over the past five years. The primary causes are the destruction of green spaces and emissions from transportation, although construction activity also plays a significant role.
Air quality in Yerevan in August 2023:
CEE Bankwatch Network published a video produced together with EcoLur that analyzes whether Yerevan and Gyumri meet the criteria of green cities. The video highlights that over the past five years air quality in Yerevan has deteriorated, and green space per capita in the city center is only 3 sq. m, while the World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 9 sq. m. It also notes that the Nubarashen landfill in Yerevan does not meet international sanitary standards. The video calls on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to ensure strict oversight of the implementation of green-city action plans and to make information about community development accessible to the public, and it recommends that local authorities involve residents in decision-making.
Air quality in Yerevan in July 2023:
