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Currently, the problem of air pollution in large cities of Kazakhstan, including Almaty, Astana, Shymkent, Karaganda, Ust-Kamenogorsk, etc., is becoming relevant. As a result of the environmental crisis, air quality is significantly declining, which negatively affects the health of the population, nature and the quality of life in general. For the study of air pollution and the effective organization of measures to prevent it, comprehensive scientific research is needed.

In this regard, the newly opened environmental laboratories in Kazakhstan play an important role in the scientific study of air pollution, its forecasting and provision of measures. If we take Almaty from among the cities of Kazakhstan, the state of air pollution in this city is an important environmental issue. This is because the city has a very large number of inhabitants and the metropolis is characterized by rapid development. The city's air is polluted by several factors. First-transport pollution: the flow of cars in Almaty is very large. Carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and smoke from cars degrade air quality. Traffic density, especially during the summer season, leads to poor air quality in the city center. Secondly, construction work in Almaty is in full swing. It also contributes to the release of dust and gas into the air. Thirdly, the lack of greenery and greenery of the city also exacerbates this problem. Particles of building materials, insufficient landscaping increase air pollution.

"In winter, when the heating season starts in Almaty, coal-fired boilers and heating stations release harmful emissions into the air. Carbon and other harmful gases released into the air during the production of thermal energy during the winter season increase air pollution. In some areas of Almaty, household garbage is incorrectly collected or processed, which also has an additional impact on air pollution. The lack of a garbage recycling system and improperly cleaned areas impair air quality. Almaty is a city located in a mountainous area, and its air circulation can be complex due to local natural factors. Due to the weak air exchange between the mountains, the level of pollution is likely to be high", - says Leila Kudreeva, deputy dean of the Faculty of chemistry and Chemical Technology.

Therefore, new technologies and environmentally friendly solutions are needed to reduce air pollution in Almaty. We must also develop public transport that is less harmful to the environment and provide environmental education to the public. The solution to this complex problem must first be proposed by scientists. As you know, last year, in honor of the 90th anniversary of 51���� Kazakh National University, a modern cluster "Farabi Chemical Science" was opened. The new scientific facility, located at the Faculty of chemistry and Chemical Technology, includes nine modern laboratories. One of those laboratories is the analytical chemistry and environment laboratory. The main task of this laboratory is to develop methods for analyzing environmental pollutants and study their impact. Scientists are developing new methods and are engaged in their validation, as well as conducting experiments on the analysis of water, air and soil. The data obtained will help identify sources of pollution and develop strategies to reduce them. The laboratory actively participates in state programs and is equipped with equipment worth 105 million tenge.

"We can proudly say that since the opening of this modern laboratory, scientists have achieved the following results", says candidate of Chemical Sciences Leila Kadyrizovna. – In 2023, two scientific projects and one PCF program were successfully completed under the leadership of N. Baimatova. One of them is "development of a method for determining the weighted average concentration of organic pollutants in order to monitor the atmospheric air of Almaty", and the other is the project" comprehensive assessment of air pollution in Almaty: identification of its source, spatial and temporal analysis "and" development of a research program for improving air quality in Astana and Almaty using modern analytical methods and modeling tools".

Now several grant funding projects are being implemented in this laboratory. In particular, "comprehensive study of air pollution in cities of Kazakhstan: emission inventory, distribution of sources and socio-economic consequences" (head – Associate Professor N. Baimatova), development of a simple and accurate method for detecting volatile organic compounds in the air based on the Needle Trap device "(head – PhD Ibragimova) and the project" Young Scientist "2025-2027" determination of biogenic volatile organic compounds in natural environments by dynamic sampling and inorganic elements by inductive-bound plasma spectrometry " (head – M. Bektasov) are being implemented.

Also, according to Professor Layla Kudreeva, since the opening of the laboratory, A. Omarova, O. Ibragimova and M. Tursynbaeva successfully defended their dissertations for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). A. Omarova became the first doctoral student to defend a dissertation in the format of a" series of articles". Now 3 doctoral students, 2 undergraduates and 7 Bachelors conduct their research in the laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and the environment. Many scientists from different countries of the world, such as Canada, USA, Turkey, Russia, Greece and others, work together in the laboratory. Members of the laboratory's research team are holders of various international grants. In 2024, the head of the laboratory, N. Baimatova, won the Fulbrigth Program grant for an internship at the University of Buffalo in the US state of New York. Recently, N. Baimatova became the owner of the badge "Eren enbegi ushin". Researcher of the laboratory A. Omarova won the state scientific scholarship for talented young scientists. O. Ibragimova and M. Tursynbaeva became the winners of the project "the best young scientist of KazNU".

Within the framework of these new projects, modern equipment was purchased that allows you to analyze environmental objects, determine the concentration of organic and inorganic compounds. Within the framework of this laboratory, six articles were published in international peer-reviewed journals published by WoS and the authoritative international publishing house Elsevier. The new laboratories play an important role in the implementation of specific measures aimed not only at scientific research, but also at improving the environmental situation in Kazakhstan. In the future, divisions of these laboratories will also be opened in other cities, and the environmental monitoring system will work effectively throughout the country.

Thus, the issues of a comprehensive study of air pollution in the cities of Kazakhstan are very relevant. The newly opened environmental laboratories provide effective tools aimed at solving this problem, contributing to the health of the city's residents and the preservation of nature. Only through scientific research and the development of environmental monitoring can we reduce the level of air pollution and improve the environmental situation.

Gulzat NURMOLDAKYZY