Breathe in, breathe out
314 — that’s the number of days in 2024 when Yerevan residents couldn't breathe fresh air, as dust levels consistently exceeded safe limits. While 2024 is behind us, Armenia's capital continues to struggle with its alarming air pollution problem – one that remains unaddressed.
Several factors contribute to Yerevan's unbreathable air, from its geography to its rapid development in construction and congested traffic. In response, residents have turned to social media, sharing air quality data from personal monitors and international sources while demanding city authorities address a crisis endangering over a million lives.
Every time I've returned to my hometown of Yerevan in recent years, I've noticed how dusty the air has become. I remember mentioning it to my family several times, only to be reassured that it was just due to nearby construction or that I was simply more observant after months away. So when I first saw people sharing data on how unhealthy Yerevan's air is, it all made sense.
Yet, despite private air quality monitors, international sources, and even basic observations confirming that Armenia's capital has a serious air pollution problem, the Yerevan municipality has consistently denied it. Officials – including Yeveran's mayor Tigran Avinyan – argue that data from the city's monitoring stations show more accurate results. They also dismiss international air quality reports and private monitors, claiming they are highly inaccurate and unreliable.
While it is difficult to guess how the issue will evolve in the future, it's obvious that as long as the Yerevan municipality ignores the problem and fails to offer solutions, clean air in the city will probably remain a luxury in 2025 as well.