Yerevan's environmental crisis poses growing health risks, expert warns

Yerevan is facing a deepening ecological crisis with serious consequences for public health and urban sustainability, environmentalist Silva Adamyan warns.

In a social media post on Tuesday, she outlined five key environmental challenges threatening the city and its residents.

1. Air Pollution

Yerevan's air quality regularly exceeds permissible limits, with high concentrations of pollutants such as particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO) and ground-level ozone (O₃). These pollutants are mainly caused by old vehicles, dust from construction, fuel-based heating systems and the city’s topography, which traps smog due to limited wind circulation.

Health risks include asthma, heart disease, cancer and increased mortality due to PM2.5 particles entering the lungs and bloodstream.

2. Lack of Green Spaces

UN standards recommend at least 9 m² of green space per capita in urban areas. In Yerevan, this figure is often as low as 4-6 m², with some districts offering even less. The result is increased urban heat ("heat island effect"), worsened air quality and heightened stress and mental health issues among residents.

3. Water Pollution and Mismanagement

Rapid construction and unregulated sewage discharge pose serious threats to local waterways, especially the Hrazdan River.
Additionally, uncontrolled groundwater extraction is lowering water tables. These issues disrupt aquatic ecosystems, reduce biodiversity and increase the risk of disease from contaminated water.

4. Construction Boom and Soil Degradation

Unregulated urban development has led to widespread land sealing with asphalt and concrete, preventing natural water absorption and increasing the risk of flooding. Dust emissions and loss of vegetation further reduce the city’s ability to absorb CO₂, exacerbating climate and air quality problems.

5. Noise Pollution

In central Yerevan, daily noise levels often exceed 65 decibels (dB), well above the World Health Organization’s 55 dB recommendation.

Long-term exposure is linked to sleep disorders, hypertension, chronic stress, and reduced attention spans in children.

“Yerevan's ecological problems are interconnected and require systemic solutions based on data analysis and urban strategy. Without immediate action, public health and quality of life may deteriorate significantly,” Adamyan wrote.