Air quality in Magnitogorsk

What is the current level of air pollution in Magnitogorsk?

Magnitogorsk is an industrial city in Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia It is located on the eastern side of the extreme southern extent of the Ural Mountains on the banks of the Ural River. It was named after Mount Magnitnaya, a geological anomaly that once consisted almost completely of iron ore, around 55% to 60% iron. According to a census conducted in 2010, Magnitogorsk had an estimated population of approximately 410,000 people. However, in 2018, it was thought to be closer to 417,000.

At the beginning of 2022, Magnitogorsk was experiencing a period of “Moderate” air quality with a US AQI reading of 75. This United States Air Quality Index number is an internationally used set of metrics supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is used to compare the air quality in different cities throughout the world using comparable standards. It is calculated by using the levels of the six most commonly found pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide and both sizes of particulate matter, which are PM2.5 and PM10. If all six figures are not always available in which case, a level is calculated by using what data there is. Only PM2.5 was recorded here which was found to be 23.7 µg/m³. This figure represents the number of microns per cubic metre.

This level of PM2.5 is just less than two and a half times above the recommended safe level of 10 µg/m³ as suggested by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as being an acceptable level. Although no amount of air pollution is considered to be safe.

When air pollution is classified as being “Moderate” the given advice would be to remain indoors as much as possible, closing doors and windows to prevent the ingress of more polluted air. Those who are more sensitive to poor quality air should avoid venturing outside until it improves. If this is unavoidable, then a good quality face mask should be worn at all times. All types of outdoor exercise should be avoided until the air quality improves. There is a downloadable app from AirVisual.com which is suitable for all operating systems and gives the latest information regarding air quality in real-time.

Does the level of air pollution vary much throughout the year in Magnitogorsk?

Looking at the figures for 2020 published by IQAir.com, it can be seen that from April until the end of June and during September, Magnitogorsk achieved the WHO target figure of being less than 10 µg/m³. The lowest reading was in April with a figure of just 5.6 µg/m³. August and October produced “Good” air quality with respective figures of 10.8 and 11.2 µg/m³. July, November and December saw air quality from the “Moderate” category with figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³. Unfortunately, records for January, February and March appear to be missing for some reason.

There were no records kept regarding air quality before 2020 when a figure of 13.7 µg/m³ was recorded, however, this lower figure was almost expected because it would have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as many vehicles were no longer in daily use because the offices were closed and the staff encouraged to work from home, in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus. Many factories and non-essential production units were also required to close which removed their emissions from the atmosphere, albeit on a temporary basis. Worldwide, cities reported a much better quality of air due to the general lack of traffic pollution in city centres due to the pandemic.

What is the main source of air pollution in Magnitogorsk?

The main source of air pollution in the city is OJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, whose emissions account for about 98 per cent of emissions from stationary sources. An increasingly significant contribution to environmental pollution is made by motor vehicles, both individual and industrial, the number of which exceeds 100 thousand. Of the total amount of harmful substances that are emitted into the atmospheric air of the city, emissions from stationary sources make up 77.6-77.8 per cent, vehicles 21.5-22.7 per cent, railway transport - about 0.7 per cent.

The air contains a heterogeneous mixture of organic and inorganic substances: dust, ash, soot, smoke, sulphates, nitrites, metal compounds, which are formed as a result of the combustion of all types of fuel, during production processes, and during motor transport.

Can anything be done to improve air quality in Magnitogorsk?

The deputy Prime Minister instructed to develop a bill that provides for administrative liability for companies that do not reduce emissions by 20 per cent. This will be done by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Development and Rosprirodnadzor. It is expected to be punished both in the form of a fine and suspension of activities. The document will be submitted for consideration in the autumn.

Since 2019 Magnitogorsk has been implementing comprehensive action plans to reduce emissions of pollutants into the atmospheric air. At large industrial enterprises, due to the re-equipment and introduction of environmentally friendly technologies, the renewal of rolling stock and the transfer of transport to environmental fuels, they seek to reduce emissions of pollutants into the atmospheric air. There are also target figures: for example, the amount of negative impact on the atmosphere should be reduced by 20 per cent by the end of 2024, and by 50 per cent by the end of 2030.

What are the detrimental effects of breathing in polluted air?

Industrial plants and vehicles emit black smoke and greenish-yellow dioxide, which increase the risk of early death. Even relatively low concentrations of these substances in the atmosphere cause between 4 and 22 per cent of deaths before the age of forty. Exhausts from motor vehicles, as well as emissions from coal-burning enterprises, saturate the air with tiny particles of pollution that can cause blood clotting and the formation of blood clots in the human circulatory system.

Often large industrial cities are covered with thick fog - smog. This is a very strong air pollution, which is a thick fog with impurities of smoke and gas waste or a veil of caustic gases and aerosols of high concentration. This phenomenon is usually observed in calm weather. This is a very big problem in large cities, which negatively affects human health. Smog is especially dangerous for children and elderly people with a weakened body, suffering from cardiovascular diseases and diseases of the respiratory system.