Air pollution indicators in Yerevan rose significantly in October 2026 compared to the same period last year, with the PM2.5 air quality index increasing approximately 15% and the reported PM10 reading climbing 35%, according to figures presented at a Yerevan City Hall meeting.

Sirarpi Haykazyan, acting head of the municipality’s Environmental Protection Department, presented data from 244 air quality sensors installed at construction sites across the capital.

The average PM2.5 air quality index increased from 68 in October 2025 to 78 in October 2026, while the PM10 indicator rose from 20 to 27. Despite these increases, municipal authorities continue to classify the monitored air quality as good or moderate.

The figures reflect measurements from construction-site monitoring equipment rather than a comprehensive assessment of air pollution across Yerevan. It also remains unclear whether the same sensors and methodology were used in both periods.

Separate findings from Armenia’s Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center confirm that pollution exceeded permissible limits in several districts during October 2026.

Between October 7 and 13, dust concentrations exceeded legal limits in Kentron on five days and in Arabkir on October 13. Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations also exceeded permissible limits in Kentron on five days, while sulfur dioxide exceeded the limit in Nor Nork on October 12 and 13.

The findings follow 301’s November 2025 investigation, which documented persistent pollution problems and discrepancies between municipal assessments and independent air quality monitoring.

On November 24, 2025, independent monitoring recorded an air quality index of 148, with PM2.5 concentrations reaching 63 µg/m³ and PM10 reaching 72 µg/m³, both exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) daily air quality guidelines.

301 previously identified several major pollution sources, including recurring fires at the Nubarashen landfill, construction dust, vehicle emissions, and winter heating.

The Nubarashen landfill, which receives approximately 1,000 to 1,200 tons of unsorted waste daily, experienced repeated fires in 2025. A major fire in October required approximately 1,400 tons of water and 900 truckloads of soil to extinguish. Earlier monitoring also documented dust concentrations reaching 1.1 to 2.4 times permissible limits in nearby districts.

Construction remains another major concern. Although Yerevan introduced requirements in 2023 for air quality monitoring and protective measures at certain construction sites, 301’s previous reporting highlighted inconsistent enforcement.

The broader pollution problem was also reflected in 301’s April 2026 report on IQAir’s annual global air quality assessment. Armenia ranked 25th among the world’s most polluted countries, while Yerevan ranked 24th among global capitals.

At the latest municipal meeting, Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan instructed officials to investigate nitrogen dioxide pollution, partly associated with vehicle exhaust, and examine its potential connection to respiratory illnesses.

However, questions remain about the effectiveness of the municipality’s existing environmental policies.

In December 2024, Avinyan announced a four-year air quality improvement initiative. The municipality subsequently published an Air Quality Improvement Strategy in March 2025, aimed at reducing emissions from major pollution sources, improving monitoring, and expanding green spaces.

Nearly two years after the initial announcement, publicly available information remains insufficient to determine how effectively these measures have been implemented.

The latest municipal figures, together with documented pollution-limit exceedances and previous independent monitoring, point to continuing air quality problems in Yerevan, while the effectiveness of the city’s long-term pollution reduction measures remains unresolved.