The Bishkek municipality has launched an experiment to assess the effectiveness of catalytic converters developed by China’s Qingdao State University in reducing vehicle emissions. The initiative is part of broader efforts to combat air pollution in Kyrgyzstan’s capital.
A lack of catalytic converters in 85% of vehicles operating in Kyrgyzstan is a major contributor to air pollution. These devices play a crucial role in reducing the toxicity of vehicle emissions by converting harmful compounds into less hazardous ones.
As part of the experiment, Chinese catalytic converters have been installed in cars provided by three public figures – a deputy chairman of the Bishkek City Council and two popular bloggers. Specialists from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision will measure the vehicles’ emissions before and after installation using an exhaust gas analyzer to determine the impact of the devices.
The results of the experiment will help authorities decide whether to implement a broader rollout of Chinese-made catalytic converters in Bishkek.
Vehicle Pollution in Bishkek
Bishkek has over 600,000 registered vehicles, nearly double the city’s road capacity of 350,000. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, motor transport accounts for 27% of the city’s total air pollution. Additionally, 333,801 vehicles in Bishkek are more than 15 years old, contributing significantly to deteriorating air quality.
Air pollution remains a persistent issue in Bishkek, a city of over one million residents. The problem worsens in winter when coal burning for household heating – responsible for 40% of the city’s air pollution – intensifies. As a result, Bishkek frequently ranks among the world’s top 10 most polluted cities on IQAir’s global air quality index.
