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62-557: Two coal fired power stations are operational and are said to be damaging health via air pollution . There are 66 neighbourhoods in Afşin District: This article about a Mediterranean Region of Turkey location is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Air pollution in Turkey In Turkey , air pollution is the most lethal of the nation's environmental issues , with almost everyone across

124-560: A co-benefit of climate change mitigation . In 2018 air quality data was available on the website of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization for 16% of districts and the ministry plans for it to be available for all districts by 2023, increasing the number of monitoring stations to 380. In 2023 the Right to Clean Air Platform said that half of the 360 monitoring stations were not working properly. The Chamber of Environmental Engineers publishes

186-580: A danger to people's lungs. Regulations in Turkey do not contain restrictions on particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter ( PM 2.5 ), which cause lung diseases. As of 2016 average PM2.5 concentration was 42μg/m3, whereas 10 μg/m is the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline, and is at dangerous levels in Batman , Hakkari , Siirt , Iğdır , Afyon , Gaziantep , Karaman , and Isparta . Asthma

248-608: A radius 50 times the chimney height: Some industrial companies reach Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 305 emissions standard. There is a pollutant release and transfer register , but as of September 2024 no years are publicly searchable because it is not yet technically complete, and it is not known what exemptions will be granted.(see FAQ). About 8% of all deaths have been estimated to be due to air pollution. However estimates of annual excess mortality vary between 37,000 and 60,000. The Right to Clean Air Platform estimates at least 48,000 early deaths in 2021. Air pollution

310-481: A report every year based on this data. The ministry also continuously monitors smokestack emissions from 305 power plants and industrial sites to ensure they do not surpass the limits, but this data is not published as Turkey has not ratified the Gothenburg Protocol on air pollution. There are hourly, daily and yearly average limits for various pollutants in the area around a coal-fired power station, defined as

372-535: Is 1.031 Kcal/kg, seam depths are 50 – 175 m, moisture content 53%, ash content 20% and sulfur content 1.2%. Electricity exports to the EU will be subject to the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism from 2026 unless Turkey implements its own carbon price. Energy thinktank Shura suggests that people whose jobs are at risk of this could be offered retraining or early retirement. Article 56 of

434-524: Is a health risk mainly due to burning fossil fuels , such as coal and diesel . Researchers estimate that reducing air pollution to World Health Organization limits would save seven times the number of lives that were lost in traffic accidents in 2017. Although in many places the health effects of air pollution cannot be estimated, because there is not enough monitoring of PM10 and PM2.5 particulates, average excess loss of life (compared to how many would be lost if WHO air pollution guidelines were followed)

496-726: Is bad because Turkish coal is very low-quality. Emissions from coal-fired power stations cause severe impacts on public health. A report from the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) estimates that in 2019, there were almost 5,000 premature deaths caused by pollution from coal-fired power stations in Turkey, and over 1.4 million work-days lost to illness. The Director for Strategy and Campaigns said: Pollution from coal power plants puts everyone at risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer as well as acute respiratory infections. But it particularly affects those most vulnerable – pregnant women, children,

558-430: Is estimated to be 0.4 years per person but this will vary by location because, as of 2019 , air pollution is severe in some cities. In general it increases the risk from respiratory infections , such as COVID-19 , especially in highly polluted cities such as Zonguldak , but this is disputed for some places and more research is needed. Many cities in Turkey are more polluted than typical European cities. For example

620-408: Is expensive to treat and can be caused by nitrogen oxides. NO 2 in cities such as Ankara is visible from satellites. Existing diesel vehicles emit diesel exhaust NOx and other air pollutants in cities but the first model of Turkish national electric car is planned to start production in 2022. Emissions are mostly from coal-fired power stations, and rose 14% in 2019 to over a megatonne of

682-485: Is not done in Turkey, but opponents of the expansion estimate that the extra air pollution could lead to an additional 1900 premature deaths. This was estimated by using CALPUFF to model dispersion of NO 2 , SO 2 and PM2.5 ; and deposition of mercury was also estimated. According to the EIA 28 million tonnes of CO2 may be emitted per year, far more than the largest Turkish greenhouse gas emitter in 2022, which

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744-450: Is not known what pollution sources will be granted exemptions.(see FAQ). According to Greenpeace many people in nearby villages, such as Çoğalhan and Altınelma , complain of asthma . Çoğulhan has 3 times the SO2 level of Elbistan. Climate Trace has estimated 2023 local air pollution from the A plant at: 120t PM 2.5 , 9.35Kt NO x , and 10.52Kt SO 2 . According to Çelikler

806-438: Is one of the environmental impacts of concrete . Although asbestos was completely banned in 2010, it can still be a risk when older buildings are demolished, in dumps, and in buildings in some rural areas where it occurs naturally. Levels across the country are above World Health Organization guidelines. There is no limit on PM2.5 and limits for other pollutants (except SO 2 ) are above WHO guidelines: Although there

868-567: Is said to be essential, and the market share of diesel cars is falling. Strengthening environmental laws is said to benefit the economy of Turkey. The Ministry of the Environment has drafted a law limiting PM 2.5 but it has not yet been passed. According to the HEAL, over 500 premature deaths could be avoided per year by shutting down three power stations in Muğla . Electric ferryboats have been proposed for

930-555: Is some monitoring of air pollution, many air pollution indicators are not available. The air quality index in Turkey does not include particles smaller than 2.5 microns ( PM 2.5 ), but does include nitrogen dioxide , sulfur dioxide , carbon monoxide , tropospheric ozone and particles between 10 and 2.5 microns in diameter ( PM10 ). According to the OECD Turkey plans to meet EU limits by 2024. Like in other countries, particulates , such as from tyre wear of vehicles in cities, are

992-473: The Bosphoros . A low-emission zone for road traffic has been suggested for Istanbul and it has been suggested that Turkey's vehicle tax system should be changed to better charge for pollution. More green space is suggested for cities. Seven regional clean air centers have been created and the deputy environment minister said in 2020 that low-emissions areas will be created and bike lanes increased. Lead

1054-589: The COVID-19 restrictions , but tropospheric ozone (a leading cause of smog ) increased as there were fewer particles to block the sunlight. Air pollution started to rise again by the middle of the year. Af%C5%9Fin-Elbistan power plants The Afşin-Elbistan power stations are two coal-fired power stations in Turkey , in Afşin District in Kahramanmaraş Province . Both Afşin-Elbistan A, built in

1116-528: The Electricity Generation Company (EUAŞ) . The plant burns lignite from Kışlaköy coal mine (mostly transported by lorry ) and sometimes from other mines. Built between 2004 and 2005 Afşin-Elbistan B is the largest single coal-fired power station in Turkey and is estimated to emit almost 8 million tonnes CO 2 per year, over 1% of Turkey's greenhouse gas emissions . Opponents said in 2020 that ash retention filters were disabled on

1178-473: The Gothenburg Protocol , although it has ratified the original Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution and those reports are public. Pollution affects neighbouring countries. The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant , 16 km over the border, is old and said to be insufficiently earthquake proof and vulnerable to military attack. In the Constitution of Turkey , Article 56 reads, "Everyone has

1240-551: The Paris Agreement to limit climate change , the plans to build the C plant should be immediately abandoned. In 2021 the C plant was cancelled. In 2024 the mayors of Elbistan and nearby Nurhak opposed the proposed expansion of the A plant. According to a 2020 survey from nearby Kahramanmaraş Sütçüimam University most locals say they have chronic illness, and almost all believe that environmental protection measures taken by power plant managers are insufficient. Opponents of

1302-493: The Right to Clean Air Platform Turkey the power stations have caused over 17 thousand premature deaths as of 2024. The Health and Environment Alliance estimate almost one hundred thousand cases of bronchitis have been caused, mostly in children. There is an air quality monitoring station in Elbistan , which is 22 km away from the power stations, and its data is public: however data from air quality monitoring 3 km from

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1364-410: The environmental impact assessment . Afşin-Elbistan A is a 1355 MW lignite -fired power station, owned by Çelikler Holding . The National Energy Plan published in 2023 forecast that 1.7 GW more local coal power would be connected to the grid by 2030, but did not say where. In 2024 Çelikler was considering buying two cheap second-hand steam turbines from shut down American nuclear plants , but

1426-413: The 1980s, and the newer Afşin-Elbistan B burn lignite from the nearby Elbistan coalfield . Air pollution, such as sulfur dioxide , is trapped by surrounding mountains, and Greenpeace alleges that levels of particulates and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere have exceeded legal limits. The Environment Ministry has not released flue gas measurements , and there is no recent public data from

1488-563: The A plant and mine employed 1450 people, mostly local, in 2024. The C plant was planned to operate for 35 years and was proposed to be funded by the Turkey Wealth Fund (TWF), the country's sovereign wealth fund , being a major partner. This is in accordance with the energy policy of Turkey , which prioritises local sources of energy to reduce coal and natural gas imports, partly in order to maintain energy security . Verus Partners advised on finance, but despite low production costs,

1550-410: The C power station was cancelled. Like some other power stations in Turkey the proposed three units of 600 MW for Afşin C were planned to be state-owned. Estimated to cost 17.3 billion lira (2,470,000 USD), at planned capacity 11 TWh per year (about 3%) of the nation's electricity would have been generated by burning 23 million tonnes of Turkish lignite annually. The site, on

1612-529: The EU Industrial Emissions Directive . In China (which has a similar income per person ), the limits for particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and NO x emissions are 10, 35, and 50 mg/m , respectively. More than a quarter of adults smoke in Turkey , and secondhand smoking, also known as passive smoking , is a danger in itself and increases the risk of respiratory infection. Air pollution from cement production

1674-447: The OECD, in 2019 bitumen 's exemption from special consumption tax was a subsidy of 5.9 billion lira. Bitumen, also known as asphalt, is used for road surfaces and in hot weather releases secondary organic aerosols, which can damage people's health in cities. As of 2019 , ambient air quality and national emissions ceilings are not up to EU standards. As of 2020 Turkey has not ratified

1736-548: The area. The coalfield also has D and E sectors but, although D and E power stations were planned in the early 21st century, these are not in use. Kışlaköy Coal Mine or Afşin Elbistan Mine is a lignite mine in Elbistan coalfield . The largest operating lignite mine in Turkey, it is open pit and can produce 7 million tonnes a year, which feeds the Afşin-Elbistan power stations. The average energy value of coal

1798-483: The border in Afşin district, is near the two existing Afşin-Elbistan power stations. In 2019, compulsory purchase of the land was authorised by President Erdoğan , and diversion of Hurman Creek would have allowed more access to Elbistan coalfield as well as supplying the plant's cooling water. In 2021 negotiations with Chinese companies continued. But later in 2021 China stopped funding overseas coal power. The station

1860-427: The capital of neighbouring Bulgaria is introducing a low emission zone and restricting coal and wood burning. Pollution has lessened since the 1990s. But as of 2019 , measured with the air quality index, Istanbul's air affects the hearts and respiratory systems even of healthy individuals during busy traffic. NO 2 is visible in measurements by Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3 . As of 2020 , industry located within

1922-510: The city of Bursa is a particular problem, and it is said to have the worst air pollution in the country. Breathing the air there is equivalent to smoking 38 packs of cigarettes a year. NO 2 is visible in satellite measurements. A higher rate of multiple sclerosis may be related to local industry in Ereğli . Some of the sulphur compounds emitted from Turkey's coal-fired power station chimneys become stratospheric sulfur aerosols , which are

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1984-517: The constitution says that “Everyone has the right to live in a healthy and balanced environment. It is the duty of the State and citizens to improve the natural environment, to protect the environmental health and to prevent environmental pollution.” [1] In 2024 Human Rights Watch alleged that the existing power stations and proposed expansion contravene the constitution and violate the human rights of nearby residents by damaging their health. According to

2046-549: The country exposed to more than World Health Organization guidelines. Over 30,000 people die each year from air pollution -related illnesses; over 8% of the country's deaths. Air pollution is particularly damaging to children's health. Researchers estimate that reducing air pollution to World Health Organization limits would save seven times the number of lives that were lost in traffic accidents in 2017. Road transport in Turkish cities and coal in Turkey are major polluters, but

2108-474: The earthquakes . The plant burns lignite , which is transported by conveyor belt from the nearby Kışlaköy coal mine . After burning 2% of the lignite remains as slag and 18% as fly ash, and a new landfill site was planned for both of these in 2019. Use of modified fly ash in concrete has been suggested. Afşin-Elbistan B is a 1440MW coal-fired power station in Afşin in Kahramanmaraş Province , state owned by

2170-595: The elderly, those already ill or poor. The HEAL report estimates that the health costs of illness caused by coal-fired power stations make up between 13 and 27 percent of Turkey's total annual health expenditure (including both public and private sectors). Greenpeace Mediterranean say that the coal-fired power plants in Afşin-Elbistan are the power plants with the highest health risk in a European country, followed by Soma power station . Since January 2020 flue gas emission limits in mg/Nm (milligrams per cubic metre) have been: These limits allow more pollution than

2232-426: The first of several Turkish national electric cars is planned to start production in 2022. Low-quality lignite coal , burnt in cities and the oldest of the country's coal-fired power stations , is also a big part of the problem. As of 2023 health impact assessment is not done in Turkey. In early 2020 air pollution in major cities fell significantly due to COVID-19 restrictions , but it started to rise again by

2294-468: The fuel oil system was replaced by gas and dry flue gas filters were completed; wet flue gas filters were completed in 2021. In 2022 a study found levels of chromium and nickel in the soil exceeding regulations and the Climate Change Policy and Research Association alleged that the plant was operating illegally according to environmental laws. Little power was generated in 2023 due to damage by

2356-467: The latest emission control technologies . But, according to campaign group Right to Clean Air Platform , it would still have resulted in thousands of early deaths over the lifetime of the plant. Cooling water would have been supplied from Hurman Creek via the Karakuz Dam, (which was completed in 2024 ). According to Climate Action Network Europe the plant would have increased the risk of drought in

2418-676: The limit on concentrations of sulphur compounds in flue gas was greatly reduced. The Climate Change and Air Management Coordination Board is responsible for coordination between government departments. As of 2019 , however, according to the EU , better coordinated policies need to be established and implemented. The impact of air pollution on the economy via damage to health may be billions of dollars, and an attempt to estimate this more precisely began in 2019. A study of 2015-16 hospital admissions in Erzincan estimated direct costs of air pollution as 2.5% of

2480-672: The main factor affecting air pollution levels is vehicle density. The number of vehicles traversing Turkey's roads has increased from 4 million in 1990 to 25 million in 2020. Additionally, ambient air quality and national emissions ceilings do not meet EU standards, and unlike other European countries, many air pollution indicators are not available in Turkey. There is no limit on very small airborne particles (PM2.5), which cause lung diseases and, as of 2021 they have not been completely inventoried and are not officially reported. Cars and lorries emit diesel exhaust , particulates , nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other fumes in cities, but

2542-583: The main opposition Republican People's Party , spoke out against the proposed C plant and asked in a parliamentary question why it should be built on agricultural land. Environmentalists claimed the country already had too much electricity generating capacity and contended that the plant would damage local water resources. Environmental and public health groups criticised the proposed C plant EIA for describing coal as clean energy and, in February 2020, thousands of people filed petitions against its approval: but it

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2604-723: The middle of the year. Right to Clean Air Platform Turkey and the Chamber of Environmental Engineers are among organisations campaigning for cleaner air. In 2019 Istanbul had a dangerously high level of NO 2 (over three times WHO guidelines). Although Istanbul's urban smog had cleared by early 2020 air pollution in the city increased again once COVID-19 restrictions had been eased. Increasing Turkey's proportion of electric cars in use to 10% by 2030 would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by Turkey . There are high purchase taxes on new cars and in 2019 about 45% of cars were over 10 years old and energy-inefficient. Continued electrification of

2666-525: The nearest air quality monitor . As of 2023 official health impact assessment is not done in Turkey, but the Right to Clean Air Platform estimates that the power station air pollution has killed over 17 thousand people. The National Energy Plan published in 2023 forecast that 1.7 GW more local coal power would be connected to the grid by 2030, but did not say where. As of 2024 Çelikler Holding want to build more coal power , despite public opposition, and are awaiting official approval or rejection of

2728-401: The power stations is not public. Health and Environment Alliance estimate that phasing out coal by 2030, instead of when the A and B power plant licences end in 2038 and 2052 respectively, would prevent over 2000 premature deaths. There is a pollutant release and transfer register , but as of September 2024 no years are publicly searchable because it is not yet technically complete, and it

2790-542: The pretext that they are expensive to clean. An environmental impact report for proposed ash and slag storage was approved in 2020. By 2021 unit 3 had been converted to gas. The plant stopped running late-September 2024, and due to lack of coal due to a mine landslide it was predicted not to run until some time in 2025. In 2021 environmental group TEMA Foundation said that air quality measurements had not been taken in Karamanmaraş for almost 11 months of 2020, and that it

2852-616: The private sector was not interested, as the coal is low-quality. The TWF claimed the plant would have an economic life of 35 years, create "serious employment", and Vice President Fuat Oktay said in 2020 that it would reduce the current account deficit . According to Greenpeace local farmers say ash has reduced their crop yields. In 2024 Greenpeace argued that the proposed 36b lira investment in new coal power would be better spent on solar power and energy storage . The Afşin-Elbistan C EIA estimated CO 2 emissions would be more than 60 million tonnes of CO 2 per year: and it

2914-434: The rail network and more high-speed line is one countermeasure being taken. In 2020 strict enforcement of diesel truck emissions was suggested by Sabancı University as a way to get old, polluting vehicles off the road: also in that year tractors have a legal exemption to burn 1000 ppm sulfur diesel. As of 2018 , Turkish coal is still burnt for home heating in low-income districts of Ankara and some other cities, which

2976-901: The right to live in a healthy and balanced environment. It is the duty of the State and citizens to improve the natural environment, to protect the environmental health and to prevent environmental pollution." According to the Eleventh Development Plan (2019-2023), all districts will be monitored by 2023 and: Air quality management practices will be enabled to prevent air pollution from production, heating and traffic, and air quality will be improved by controlling emissions. Air quality action plans will be prepared at local level and legislation on pollution and emission control will be updated. Air quality management capacity will be improved by strengthening regional clean air centres. Research on air quality modelling and monitoring will be conducted and infrastructure will be developed. Quitting coal

3038-412: The total health-related expenditures for the 15–34 and over 65 age groups, but stated that the total cost is likely much higher: for example, the economic costs of the reductions in the intelligence of adults and children have not been estimated. According to medical group Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), reducing PM 2.5 air pollution in the country would substantially increase GDP. According to

3100-429: The type of short-lived climate forcers which reflect sunlight back into space. However this cooling effect is temporary, as short-lived climate forcers are almost all gone from the atmosphere after 30 years. Significant amounts of coal were burnt over 30 years ago , so the effect of that on global warming is dominated by CO 2 , even though there were no limits on sulphur compounds until 2004. Between 2004 and 2020,

3162-677: The world total of 29 megatonnes: Kemerköy power station and the Afşin-Elbistan power stations polluted the surrounding areas with 300 kilotonnes each in 2019. As of 2014 levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Istanbul were on average similar to those in London and Paris but more variable, with maxima usually exceeding 10 ppb. The emission levels of persistent organic pollutants are regulated, but totals for these emissions were not reported in 2019. As of 2018 Turkey emits one percent of

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3224-446: The world's greenhouse gas emissions . Because most of the air pollution is caused by burning fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions by Turkey would also be reduced by, for example, low emission zones for city traffic, and replacing the distribution of free coal with a different support for poor families. In other words, helping to limit climate change would be a co-benefit of the main health benefits, and health improvement would be

3286-405: Was ZETES power stations at 15 million tonnes. Brought online from 1984 to 1987 Afşin-Elbistan A is one of the largest installed capacity coal-fired power stations in Turkey and is estimated to emit over 8 million tonnes of CO 2 per year, over 1% of Turkey's greenhouse gas emissions . It was depicted on the reverse of the 5000 lira banknotes of 1990–1994. In 2004 or 2005 an EIA

3348-420: Was accepted by the government. For comparison, total annual greenhouse gas emissions by Turkey are less than 575 million tonnes; thus about a tenth of greenhouse gas emissions by Turkey would have been from the planned power station. Space-based measurements of carbon dioxide means the public will know the level of emissions almost in real time. Ali Öztunç, local MP and environment spokesperson for

3410-578: Was approved by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation in March. In 2021 an expert report commissioned by the Maraş Regional Administrative Court said that the EIA positive decision given to Afşin-Elbistan C was faulty as it failed to accurately assess the project's environmental pollution and impact on agricultural activities, water basins and human health. Environmental group TEMA Foundation said that, as Turkey had recently ratified

3472-522: Was concerned that the plant would add to the industrial pollution of the Aksu and Ceyhan rivers. In March 2019 Greenpeace projected the message "These chimneys are spitting poison" onto the plant, to publicise their earlier report claiming that, together with neighbouring Afşin-Elbistan B, the plants were responsible for 17,000 premature deaths. The area is a sulfur dioxide air pollution hotspot. According to energy analyst Haluk Direskeneli, writing in 2019, FGD

3534-449: Was done re rehabilitation and FGD. The plant was shut down in January 2020 due to local air pollution, but reopened later in 2020. Delivery of FGD parts was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic but the filters were installed in 2021. In January 2019 locals complained that the plant had been restarted causing ash pollution visible in the snow, and local MP Sefer Aycan said in parliament he

3596-581: Was first smelted around 5000 BC in Anatolia and in 535 AD Justinian I acknowledged the importance of clean air. In the 19th century air pollution was thought of in terms of miasma , the idea that foul smells could cause disease. Due to the high cost of oil after the 1970s oil crisis , cities burnt more lignite for residential heating. An Air Pollution Control Regulation was issued in the 1980s and air quality monitoring began in that decade. In early 2020 most air pollution in major cities fell significantly due to

3658-546: Was not installed and electrostatic precipitation was inadequate, and "it is futile to repair this power plant". The plant was shut down in January 2020 as it did not meet the flue gas emission limits which came into force that month. Çelikler planned to have filters installed by June 2020. The plant reopened but complaints of air pollution continued, and in October 2021 it was said by opposition MP Ali Öztunç to be still operating without filters due to company lobbying . In 2020

3720-400: Was planned to run almost 7000 hours per year to generate 11,380 GWh. By using a supercritical boiler , the plant would have been more efficient and emitted less local air pollution than all other large (over 400 MW) local lignite-fuelled power stations in Turkey , as they use subcritical boilers. According to the Turkey Wealth Fund , the plant would have been environmentally friendly, using

3782-435: Was unsure whether suitable steam boilers which could cope with Turkish lignite could be found, as large electrostatic precipitators and flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) would be needed. As of September 2024 the environmental impact assessment (EIA) which began in 2022 of adding such 4th and 5th units totalling about 700 MW is still being considered by the government. As of 2023 official health impact assessment

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3844-584: Was very worrying that the plants continued to operate on temporary permits without the necessary environmental improvements. Afşin-Elbistan C was a planned 1800- MW coal-fired power station , which was proposed to be funded by the Turkey Wealth Fund and built by a state-owned mining company to be called Maden Holding. According to the EIA the plant would have burned 23 million tonnes of lignite annually, and emitted over 61 million tonnes of CO 2 each year for 35 years. However, in 2021 Turkey targeted net zero carbon emissions by 2053, and in 2022

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