Jerusalem Faces Severe Air Pollution

Jerusalem has recorded one of its worst air quality levels of the year, with the city entering the world’s top ten most polluted locations on August 30, 2025. The Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed above 110, a threshold that the World Health Organization categorizes as unhealthy for sensitive groups. Authorities and experts warn that vulnerable residents face significant health risks, while environmental observers stress that recurring dust storms and extreme heat are amplifying the problem.

Jerusalem in the Global Top Ten

Data from IQAir placed Jerusalem in the top ten most polluted cities worldwide, with an AQI peak around 110. Pollution levels were highest in the afternoon, when stagnant atmospheric conditions and extreme summer heat combined to trap pollutants close to the surface. By late evening, forecasters expected levels to ease as stronger winds began to disperse fine particles.

Neighboring Tel Aviv recorded moderate levels during the same period, highlighting that the spike in Jerusalem was sharper due to its topography and inland location. The coastal city benefits from sea breezes that dilute airborne pollutants more quickly.

Causes of the Pollution Surge

Environmental scientists point to three primary factors behind the current pollution episode.

Dust Intrusions from the Desert

The Eastern Mediterranean region is regularly hit by desert dust, particularly during the late summer months. These intrusions raise concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5, both of which are hazardous when inhaled. The Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service recently tracked multiple dust events affecting the Levant, worsening air quality in Israel.

Extreme Heat and Atmospheric Stagnation

Heat waves intensify air stagnation, limiting vertical mixing in the atmosphere. This allows pollutants, including fine particulates and ground-level ozone, to accumulate near the surface. Earlier this month, the Israeli Environmental Protection Ministry warned residents of “dangerous” particle levels in Jerusalem during another hot spell, citing high PM10 concentrations during morning peaks.

Human Activity

Traffic congestion, fossil fuel combustion, and industrial output remain steady contributors to daily emissions. A recent study on the Eastern Mediterranean highlighted increasing emissions from sulfate aerosols and biomass burning, which, when combined with desert dust, create a potent cocktail of harmful pollutants.

Health Risks for Residents

At an AQI above 110, the risk of adverse health effects is significant, particularly for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with asthma or cardiovascular conditions. Medical experts warn that even healthy adults may experience eye irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath if exposed for prolonged periods.

In mid-August, Israel’s environmental authorities issued an official advisory urging people to reduce outdoor activity and avoid strenuous exercise when particle levels are high. They also recommended that high-risk groups remain indoors during peak hours.

Humanitarian Concerns

The air pollution crisis compounds broader environmental stress across Israel. With climate change increasing the frequency of heat waves and altering wind patterns, both desert dust intrusions and ozone buildup are expected to intensify in coming years. Health services are already under pressure from rising cases of respiratory illness linked to poor air quality.

Schools in Jerusalem have previously been forced to adjust outdoor activities on polluted days, and community shelters have seen increased demand for filtered air environments. Aid organizations warn that without stronger environmental management, vulnerable communities will suffer most.

Daily Pattern and Short-Term Outlook

Pollution episodes in the region often peak during the late morning and afternoon, when the heat of the day enhances stagnation. Levels tend to drop overnight as winds increase and vertical mixing improves. Today’s forecasts predicted AQI values dropping to around 60 by midnight, a moderate level but still above WHO’s safe thresholds.

Meteorologists caution that late summer remains a high-risk period for new dust storms. Weather records for Jerusalem in late August show repeated “blowing dust” events, making the likelihood of recurring spikes significant.

Professional Analysis: What This Means for Policy

From a public health and policy perspective, the episode underscores the urgency of addressing both environmental and climate-linked drivers. A professor of environmental science at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem explained, “The combination of anthropogenic emissions and natural dust is creating acute air pollution episodes that will only worsen under climate change. Reducing fossil fuel dependence and improving regional dust forecasting are essential.”

Policy recommendations include strengthening early-warning systems for dust intrusions, investing in public transit to cut traffic emissions, and promoting urban greening to mitigate heat. At the household level, the use of HEPA air purifiers, sealing indoor spaces during peak hours, and real-time monitoring can help reduce exposure.

Regional Impact and Global Lessons

The Jerusalem episode reflects a broader trend across the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa, where dust, heat, and emissions intersect. Similar events in Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey have led to spikes in hospital admissions for asthma and heart disease. The World Health Organization stresses that air pollution is now one of the top environmental health threats globally, responsible for an estimated seven million premature deaths annually.

Conclusion

Jerusalem’s ranking among the world’s most polluted cities today highlights the severity of its air quality crisis. With AQI surpassing 110, the risks for sensitive groups are immediate and severe. Unless proactive measures are taken, the combination of climate stress, dust intrusions, and emissions will continue to endanger public health in the city.

For a broader perspective, read our related coverage on climate change and urban pollution to understand how cities worldwide are grappling with similar challenges.