Dirty air in Kyiv: causes, health effects and remedies

At the moment, there is a huge problem in Kiev - low air quality, due to several reasons, which influence it. Kievans fear, that after the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, it will not be possible to freely remove the masks. In terms of air pollution, Kiev is one of the champions among other cities of Ukraine. It is poisoned by over 20 harmful components., including formaldehyde, nitrogen and sulfur dioxides, carbon monoxide. Same, incredible dust accumulations are common, which do not allow people to breathe normally. All these problems affect not only the smell, which turns into an unbearable stench from time to time, but also affect the health of the people of Kiev.

Causes of air pollution in Kiev

Internet resource IQAir, real-time monitoring the state of atmospheric air around the planet, repeatedly named the capital of Ukraine among the leaders of the anti-rating for its quality. There were days, when the air quality index here rose to the level 246 and even 344, when the number is over 125 already indicates super-pollution. Among the rest of the cities in the world, Kiev ranks 28th in terms of air pollution, and citizens with respiratory diseases are not recommended to go outside without respirators. Why is the air dirty in Kiev – consider the main problems, negatively affecting the quality index.

Exhaust gases from cars

The main problem is overcrowding with cars, which account for 80% harmful emissions into the urban atmosphere. Kiev was not ready for the flow of cheap cars, engines of which are the cause of the formation of about two hundred toxic substances. The period of neutralization of some of them reaches several years.. The city authorities still do not take any significant actions to change the situation with bad air in Kiev.. If now in the capitals of the European Union, to encourage people to use public transport more often, the roads are narrowing, then in Kiev they are only expanded. Plus, they are destroying sustainable rail transport: now only 22 tram routes, although in the 2000s there were still 35. With 2014 not a single new metro station was built.

Destruction of the green zone

For the sake of new construction, natural, and even man-made, plantings. Now the left-bank part of the city is solid concrete. Developers covered a third of Kiev lakes and erected new buildings there, although the city has nothing to breathe: its area is growing, and green lungs are shrinking rapidly.

Industrial factor

If earlier the bulk of industrial enterprises were located outside the city limits, then with the development of the left bank of the Dnieper, they ended up next to residential areas: CHP-5 and CHP-6 emit harmful nitrogen oxides into the air every day. Despite ongoing complaints from residents, the energy incineration plant continues to poison the atmosphere. Same, eg “Aisum Ukraine” recently took a close look at the problem stinks in the Kharkov massif – the reasons are the same.

Fires

In April 2020 the city was choking on fires. The grass was blazing because of the negligent adherents of agricultural burns, the Chernobyl forests were burning, smoked numerous peat bogs, which, thanks to mass development, have become much closer to the border of the city.

How to protect yourself from air pollution?

At this moment, there are no serious prospects for a change in the situation with air quality for the better today. Daily human lungs require 300-400 liters of oxygen. If it stably gets there together with harmful substances, the chances of getting a disease increase dramatically.

List of dangerous diseases, which can be obtained due to polluted air:

• Asthma;
• Stroke;
• Ischemia;
• Lung oncology;
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• Respiratory tract infections;
• Heart failure;
• Cerebrovascular disease.

According to the World Health Organization (TRAIN), from diseases, air pollution, over dies every year 7 million people. This figure is very large, do not be careless with the thought, that it will bypass you.

According to the recommendations of doctors and experts in the field of ecology, residents of Kiev need to protect their health:

• Do not go out into the open air unless absolutely necessary, if smog hangs in the city;
• Close windows and do not use air conditioners without filtration, when the air is polluted;
• Regularly carry out wet cleaning of premises;
• Drink more water - before 2-3 liters daily for an adult.

These recommendations are the main, if you have doubts about your own health, you should contact your family doctor. Sticking to these tips, you will save your lungs and health from polluted air in Kiev.