To breathe or not to breathe, that is the question: the future of an ‘unhealthy’ capital — Out of Sight
September 22 2025, 10:00
In recent years, residents of Yerevan have consistently voiced concerns about recurring urban issues—traffic congestion, a shortage of parking spaces, high parking fees, and difficulties registering children in public kindergartens. This year, however, Yerevan residents have begun paying closer attention to environmental problems, particularly air pollution—especially now, when the invisible “enemy” becomes visible during windy days.
According to various assessments, Yerevan has ranked among the cities with the most polluted air in the world in recent years and is considered the most polluted city in the region. The main human-caused sources of air pollution in the capital include the Nubarashen landfill, with its 75-year accumulation of waste; gas-powered vehicles; and over-saturated construction projects. Developers often fail to follow established standards, and the Yerevan Municipality does not adequately monitor their activities.
As a result, a ghost-like dust haze drifts through the city, often mistaken for ordinary fog. The dust particles in the air are invisible to the naked eye, but our lungs detect them all too well—once inhaled, they can cause serious health damage.
AlphaNews visited the air monitoring center’s laboratory to examine the composition of the air we breathed last week and spoke with experts in the field.
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