High air pollution level in Minsk

Minsk is experiencing increased air pollution levels. Belhydromet reported that on January 21, elevated levels of nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere were recorded. Maximum permissible concentration levels were exceeded at five monitoring points: Independence Avenue, 110a; Timiryazeva Street, 23; Radialnaya Street, 50; and in the Uruchye district on Korzhenevskogo Street. As of 12:00, the maximum nitrogen oxide concentration reached 2.4 times the permissible level.

The reasons for deteriorating air quality are meteorological conditions. Calm, windless weather combined with a ground-level inversion prevents pollutants from dispersing into upper atmospheric layers, meaning contaminants do not have time to clear. Because of this, major industrial and automotive enterprises in Minsk continue receiving warnings about unfavorable meteorological conditions so they can take measures to reduce anthropogenic impact.