After a winter break, the Almaty Air Initiative (AAI) Foundation has resumed operation of Central Asia’s only AI-powered allergen detection sensor. The device, which began testing last autumn, now not only identifies airborne particles in real time but also calculates an Allergy Discomfort Index — a unique metric showing how hazardous current air conditions are for people with allergies.

Using neural networks trained on more than 80 million particle images, and through cooperation with the U.S. company PollenSense, AAI can detect not only pollen, but also microscopic mold spores, dust, and even microplastics.

According to data collected over the past two weeks, air samples from the area around the intersection of Satpayev and Baitursynov Streets, where the sensor is installed, are dominated by:

Weeds and grasses. Their share is expected to increase as the warmer season begins. Plantain pollen is currently the most prominent: its peak occurred between March 19 and 24, with another increase observed from March 31 to April 3. Traces of pollen from the nettle and grass families have also become noticeable over the past week.

Tree pollen. This indicates that the seasonal peak has begun. Concentrations are moderate but are already triggering reactions among sensitive residents. A spike in pollen from trees of the cypress family — including cypress, juniper, and thuja — occurred during the Nauryz holidays. Relatively high concentrations of elm pollen were also recorded during Nauryz. Over the past week, poplar and cypress-family pollen have been particularly noticeable.

Fine particulate matter and microplastics. These represent a constant background presence typical of a large city.

 

Zhuldyz Saulebekova, Executive Director of the Almaty Air Initiative Foundation:

«For Almaty, smog also acts as a catalyst for allergies. The toxic urban environment turns ordinary pollen into an aggressive ‘mutant,’ while PM2.5 particles act as a shuttle, carrying these allergens deep into the lungs. This is precisely why our monitoring is so important: we help Almaty residents see an invisible threat in real time».

 

The Allergy Discomfort Index is a metric developed by the creators of the technology. It combines three factors:

  • the total concentration of allergens (particles/m³);
  • the allergenicity index of specific plants at their current flowering stage;
  • meteorological data, including wind and humidity, which affect how allergens spread.

When the index is high, people are advised to avoid prolonged outdoor activities or keep their windows closed.

All data is publicly available in real time on the updated dashboard: dashboard.air.org.kz. Any resident can use the platform to check not only the overall air quality index based on PM2.5, but also the current allergy risk.

This year, Almaty Air Initiative plans to purchase another allergen detection sensor and install it in the northern part of the city. This will expand the monitoring coverage and provide Almaty residents with more detailed information.

Supported by Halyk Bank

Sponsors do not influence editorial content.