This year, surveys have revealed that 90.5% of Kazakhstan's citizens are satisfied with the air quality in the country, El.kz reports citing Energyprom.kz.
However, 9.1% of those surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with polluted air containing smog, dust and exhaust fumes.
"Statistical sample studies were carried out among the population of Kazakhstan aged 15 years and older. The results showed that the proportion of dissatisfied people increases with the age of respondents. In addition, it was noted that participants' responses differed according to their income level. More wealthy civilians gave positive assessments, while among poorer citizens the number of dissatisfied members reached 28%" the analysts note.
The publication points out that in 50 of the country's 69 major cities, air quality does not meet expectations.
"Among the cities with the highest air pollution were Astana, Karaganda and Aktobe. Residents of Astana and Karaganda face problems related to smog, dust and emissions from thermal power plants, while in Aktobe, the main source of discomfort is the smell of hydrogen sulfide. Only two cities - Kokshetau and Kyzylorda - are distinguished by clean air. 11 cities suffer from high levels of pollution, the rest experience high and very high levels of pollution. Astana tops the anti-rating with a pollution index of 16.2 in the third quarter of the year, with a maximum possible value of 20," the newspaper reports.