U.S. embassies to stop sharing air quality data amid budget cuts

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will stop disseminating data collected through its air quality monitoring program via the AirNow app and other platforms, the State Department confirmed in response to an Associated Press inquiry on Wednesday.

This program has allowed local populations and researchers worldwide to analyze and compare air quality in different cities.

Budget cuts behind program termination

According to an official statement, the termination of the global air quality monitoring program is due to financial constraints. The State Department has been forced to shut down the monitoring network. However, embassies and consulates have been instructed to continue internal monitoring, and data sharing may resume if funding is restored in the future.

This budget cut is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to scale back environmental and climate change initiatives.

U.S. embassy-installed monitoring devices worldwide track PM2.5 particulate matter — tiny particles that penetrate deep into the respiratory system and can cause respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and premature death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for approximately seven million deaths annually.

A major blow to global air quality research

Bhargav Krishna, an air pollution expert at the Sustainable Futures Collaborative in New Delhi, called the data loss a “significant setback.”

“These sensors have been a crucial source of understanding air quality in many developing countries. They are well-calibrated and have been regarded as a reliable benchmark for comparing local data in terms of quality,” Krishna stated.

Independent air quality consultant Alejandro Piracoca Mayorga in Bogotá also described the decision as a “major loss.” He noted that U.S. embassies in cities such as Lima (Peru), São Paulo (Brazil), and Bogotá (Colombia) have provided publicly accessible air monitoring data.

“This program offered an independent source of air quality data, separate from local monitoring networks, serving as a crucial reference point,” he said.

Pakistani environmental expert Khalid Khan also condemned the decision, warning of “serious consequences.”

He emphasized that U.S. monitoring in Peshawar, one of the most polluted cities in the world, has provided “critical real-time data,” aiding researchers, policymakers, and citizens in making informed health decisions.

“The removal of these monitors creates a significant gap in environmental monitoring, leaving citizens without accurate information on hazardous air conditions,” Khan stated, adding that vulnerable groups with no alternative sources of reliable data would suffer the most from this decision.

Additionally, WHO’s global air quality database will also be negatively impacted by the discontinuation of this program. Many low-income countries lack the financial and technical resources to conduct independent air quality monitoring, heavily relying on data provided by U.S. embassies.

Loss of alternative air quality data in Tashkent

As of March 6, 9:20 PM, Tashkent ranked eighth among the world’s most polluted cities. The primary pollutant — PM2.5 — registered at 57 micrograms per cubic meter of air, a level classified as “unhealthy” according to U.S. standards.

These figures are based on data from 38 air quality monitoring stations installed throughout the city, with the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent being one of the first to set up such equipment. However, U.S. Embassy air quality data has already disappeared from the IQAir and AirNow platforms, though it remains available on aqicn.org.

Later, monitoring devices installed by Uzbekistan’s UzHydromet agency also began tracking air quality on an hourly basis, using similar equipment to the U.S. Embassy. However, comparisons between the datasets require careful consideration of various factors.

According to Professor Jay Turner from Washington University, strict adherence to monitoring protocols is essential for ensuring data consistency. “I have personally verified that the equipment at the U.S.

Embassy follows these protocols. If UzHydromet adheres to the same standards, then their reports should align closely with U.S. Embassy data,” he explained.

If the U.S. halts its air quality data program, Uzbekistan could face several negative consequences. First, there will be fewer transparent and reliable air quality reports, forcing both experts and the public to rely solely on government-provided data, which in some cases may raise concerns regarding accuracy and transparency.

Challenges for research and public awareness

Environmental scientists and researchers rely on multiple data sources to assess air quality. The U.S. Embassy’s data, internationally calibrated, has been a crucial benchmark for comparing local figures. If this data source disappears, researchers will have to find alternative reliable sources or depend entirely on local monitoring networks.

Additionally, public awareness of air pollution could decline. Tashkent faces severe air pollution, particularly in winter. According to the World Bank, air pollution in Tashkent causes over 3,000 premature deaths annually. The city's average yearly pollution level exceeds WHO’s recommended threshold (6 µg/m³) by six times.

U.S. monitoring stations have provided real-time data on PM2.5 levels and other pollutants, enabling people to take necessary precautions. Their absence could reduce public awareness of air quality risks.

Furthermore, U.S. monitoring data has been a critical source for WHO and other international environmental organizations. If discontinued in Uzbekistan, it could result in less comprehensive global assessments and international reports regarding the country’s air quality.