Almaty Air Initiative has completed its analysis of Kazakhstan’s first pilot project using artificial intelligence to monitor airborne allergens.

From mid-September to early November, round-the-clock monitoring was conducted within the area bounded by Satpayev, Baitursynov, Timiryazev, and Seifullin streets using an AI-powered sensor designed to operate during the warmer months of the year.

September proved to be one of the most challenging months for people with allergies. The analysis found that between September 20 and 25, two factors coincided in Almaty:

— Natural: widespread pollen release from weeds, particularly mugwort.

— Anthropogenic: periodic increases in pollutant concentrations associated with higher traffic emissions, waste burning, and falling air temperatures, which led to the start of partial heating in the private residential sector.

Together, these factors created a cumulative effect that intensified symptoms among sensitive groups. Smoke irritated the respiratory tract, while pollen could more easily penetrate already irritated mucous membranes.

Mugwort — the season’s key allergen

AI-generated data made it possible to assess pollen dynamics in detail:

  • The peak occurred on September 22.
  • During certain hours, mugwort pollen concentrations reached 1,212 grains/m³ — 24 times higher than the threshold for a high allergen load (50 grains/m³).

Mugwort accounted for 16 of the 49 days with elevated allergen levels recorded during the entire monitoring period.

Zhuldyz Saulebekova, Executive Director of Almaty Air Initiative:

«This is our first pilot project — not only in Kazakhstan, but across the entire Central Asian region. We can see that AI technology makes it possible to monitor allergens, microplastics, mold spores, and other particles that directly affect people’s well-being in real time. In a city where allergies are widespread, it is important to understand why someone’s condition may suddenly worsen on a particular day: watery and itchy eyes, a runny nose, asthma attacks, and sleep problems can intensify during pollen season, while poor air quality can make these reactions even more severe. We will reinstall the sensor in spring to continue comprehensive monitoring and give people greater clarity about what is affecting their well-being».

This will allow Almaty residents affected by allergies to take preventive measures in advance and reduce potential health risks.