Is the air quality good in Tashkent?
On September 22, 2025, at 8:30 AM PT, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is experiencing poor air quality due to dust and sand blown in from the nearby desert. The AQI reached well over 301 for some air quality stations, which puts air quality within the "hazardous" range. However, most air quality stations measured in the "unhealthy" to "very unhealthy" range.
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Tashkent ranked as the most polluted major city in the world Monday night (local time), with regional cities like Salor, Samarkand, Andijan, and Qarshi also experiencing unhealthy to hazardous air quality.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Tashkent.
While the air quality conditions today are unusually poor, it is important to keep in mind that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Tashkent was 31.4 µg/m3. This corresponds to an AQI of 93, which falls into the “moderate” category and was 6.3 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan ranked as the most polluted major city as of 8:30 AM PT on Sept 22, 2025. Source: IQAir.
When will the air quality improve in Tashkent?
While the overnight air quality outlook is poor for Tashkent, a shift in prevailing winds is likely to improve the air quality towards the "moderate" range late in the day on Tuesday.
Hourly air quality forecast for Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Sept 22, 2025. Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Sept 22, 2025. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Tashkent?
A strong driver of poor air quality in Tashkent on Monday, September 22 is incoming dust and sand blowing southwest from the Kyzylkum Desert (1). In addition to dust and the naturally dry environment Tashkent's air quality is affected by industrial activity, construction, road congestion, and heavy vehicle traffic (2).
How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
