Astana plans to modernize and expand its network of stationary stations that monitor atmospheric air quality. The decision comes as part of an effort to address limitations in the current system, where some stations may provide incomplete data due to changes in the urban landscape.
Currently, there are 10 stationary air monitoring posts operating in the capital, six of which are automated and transmit data every 20 minutes. However, many of these stations were installed over a decade ago. Since then, new residential areas, transportation hubs, and infrastructure have emerged nearby, which may be affecting the accuracy of the readings.
“According to the results of environmental monitoring in 2024, levels of several pollutants in Astana exceeded acceptable limits. Still, air quality in the capital is not the worst in the country and, by some measures, is even better than in other major cities,” Kazhydromet states.
Nonetheless, experts emphasize the need to update the monitoring system to obtain a more complete and objective picture of the city’s air quality.
The upgrade of the monitoring network will be carried out in stages. The project will involve scientific organizations and representatives from the Astana city administration. Particular attention will be paid to selecting new locations for the stations, taking into account current urban development and environmental factors.
Environmental experts note that the current stations provide only localized data, which may not reflect the overall air quality across the city. For effective environmental control, a broader network and modern analytical technologies are essential.