Ministry of Ecology names main sources of air pollution in Atyrau
Tengrinews.kz – In early September, residents of Atyrau complained about a sharp unpleasant smell and worsening air quality. The Ministry of Ecology confirmed that during the first and second ten-day periods of September, some atmospheric air monitoring stations in Atyrau recorded data on concentrations of pollutants. The ministry issued a statement on the matter.
According to the Ministry of Ecology, the main pollutant is hydrogen sulfide.
“In recent years, Atyrau has been among the ‘leaders’ in terms of air pollution. Hydrogen sulfide is especially relevant for the city. Under unfavorable meteorological conditions and in the presence of emission sources, cases of significant exceedances of the established maximum permissible concentration are recorded,” the Ministry of Ecology said in a statement.
The ministry named the main sources of pollution.
“The main sources are Atyrau Oil Refinery, sewerage facilities of the municipal state enterprise Atyrau Oblysy Su Arnasy, the Kvadrat evaporation site, heating boilers and the thermal power plant. Unfavorable meteorological conditions also have an additional impact, including weak winds, nighttime and low dispersion rates of pollutants,” the Ministry of Ecology stated.
The ministry said that to reduce air pollution in Atyrau, central and local government agencies are taking a number of measures aimed at cutting atmospheric emissions, modernizing infrastructure and strengthening environmental control.
On September 8, the Ministry of Ecology reported the start of an unscheduled inspection by the Ecology Department for Atyrau Region.
“In accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Code, automated monitoring systems have been installed at a number of major enterprises using natural resources, and the data is transmitted to the National Data Bank on the State of the Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” the ministry said.
The introduction of best available techniques, automated monitoring systems at enterprises and compliance with current legislation will help reduce air pollution levels, the Ministry of Ecology believes.