Air Pollution in Yerevan Is Increasing: Why, and What Can Be Done?
In recent days, Top News spoke with environmentalist Vicvtoria Burnazyan, deputy president of the “EcoLur” Information NGO, about air quality, the causes of pollution, and possible solutions.
The environmentalist described the current level of air pollution as alarming, noting that it is the result of several simultaneous factors: the presence of an anticyclone and the resulting lack of wind, a huge amount of construction, mines surrounding Yerevan, and emissions from transport. All of this is compounded by the scarcity of green spaces, which reduces the possibility of natural air renewal and does not allow the air to self-purify.
In her view, the fires that have recently broken out in various regions of Armenia have not affected the deterioration of air quality in Yerevan, since the winds have been blowing in different directions. According to Burnazyan, in the capital we are seeing the consequences of emissions and pollution generated by us, the residents of the city.
What Should Be Done to Improve Air Quality?
Burnazyan believes that, first and foremost, the city needs large-scale landscaping and greening, so that Yerevan has green areas in all seasons of the year. This can be achieved by planting tree species that do not shed their leaves in autumn, which would help mitigate the negative impact of dust and smoke during this period of the year.
It is also important that construction companies implement the measures set out in the “Law on Atmospheric Air” protective and preventive measures aimed at reducing dust and emissions. Dust suppression and watering must be carried out, and the tires of vehicles leaving construction sites must be cleaned.
“However, we see that not everyone is implementing these measures,” the environmentalist notes. According to Burnazyan, even if the municipality and other bodies have taken preventive steps, they are not sufficient, because today we have low-quality air that is dangerous to our health.
In Viktoria Burnazyan’s view, improving air quality requires a comprehensive approach in order to overcome the interconnected problems.
Top-News.am