As part of the implementation of the environmental directives of the European Union, an expert from the Finnish Meteorological Institute Harry Pietari has visited Mariupol. He familiarized himself with the work of the atmospheric air quality monitoring systems operating in the city. The results of the detour were discussed at a working meeting with the deputy mayor Sergey Zakharov and the head of the department of environmental, energy management and labor protection Vahagn Mnatsakanyan.
The meeting was also attended by the representative of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine Valentina Vasilenko and the Director of the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Donetsk Regional Administration Sergey Natrus.
The purpose of the expert’s visit is to analyze the state of air quality monitoring systems in Mariupol and then draw up a plan of recommended upgrades. Thus, during the two-day visit, Harry Pietari visited five measuring posts in different districts of Mariupol. After discussing the issue with representatives of local authorities, a meeting was held with the representatives of the public.
Harry Pietari noted that the path to improve air quality is long and difficult. In a number of EU countries, it took about 30 years and only two countries achieved the desired indicators.
‘Only a complex interaction at different levels will be able to give a result. To improve the situation, we need correct data that we can trust and then make any decisions to improve the situation. It is for this that modernization is necessary. The main requirement for the systems is data reliability and real-time operation,’ Harry Pietari said.
Besides, a Finnish expert noted that two reference monitoring stations have already been operating in Mariupol. They meet all required criteria. And to create a complete picture of the impact of atmospheric air on the population, they must be located in the central and sleeping areas. It is also necessary to measure the level of gas pollution from traffic.
In turn, at a public meeting, Vahagn Mnatsakanyan spoke about the results of work in this direction. He presented a strategy for the development of online monitoring systems.
‘All information about the measurements of the mobile laboratory is available on the website of the city council. An interactive ecological map of Mariupol is also under development. It will ensure the operational awareness of the residents,’ Vahagn Mnatsakanyan said.
Besides, the head of the department for environmental issues stressed that he plans to implement a project to modernize one of the monitoring posts, presumably in the Kalmiussky district. Development will begin after receiving expert advice. Work is underway to minimize noise pollution.
The representative of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Valentina Vasilenko, noted that during this visit we are talking about the implementation of the 50th and 107th EU directives. Sergey Natrus, Director of the Ecology and Natural Resources Department of Donetsk Regional Administration, spoke about the existing monitoring systems in the Donetsk region. They analyze the condition of not only air, but water and soil.
Following the meeting, members of the public asked their questions. They concerned the prospects for modernization and the stages of the development of this practice in Europe.
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