Investigating the weights of variables causing air pollution through factor analysis

Abstract

Today air pollution, as in the world, has become an important problem affecting all living things negatively in our country, too. There are many variables causing air pollution. For authorities, the determination of these variables, taking them under control and degree of their effect on air pollution are extremely important. This study aims to analyse the effects of variables causing air pollution on pollution by using statistical methods. Determination of weights of variables causing air pollution will help to develop air pollution prevention strategies. Moreover, it will also help underdeveloped or developing countries to manage their limited resources more effectively. In the direction of these targets, in our study, the air pollution data of the cities in Turkey belonging to the year of 2012 were used. Since the air pollution variables measured regularly in the stations in all the cities are SO2 and PM10, these variables were used in the analyses. The obtained results seem to support literature data.