Dangerous levels of air pollution have become not just figures in environmental reports, but a reality faced by Kyiv residents every day. We have all been observing strong dust and smog in the capital for weeks, and the indicators in "Kyiv Digital" are scaring with a high level of danger. So UNN checked who and how monitors the air quality in Kyiv and what impact pollution has on people's health.
People feel fatigue, headache and suffocation, but do not always think that the air we breathe is the cause of poor health. Usually we pay attention to this only when we feel an unpleasant smell or see a gray haze, or when there is information that air pollution levels are exceeded. And where do these indicators come from? Who collects and forms the data and how? UNN decided to understand this issue.
Monitoring from the capital's authorities
The air quality monitoring system introduced by the Kyiv City State Administration is managed by the Department of Environmental Protection and Adaptation to Climate Change.
The development of the capital's air quality monitoring system began in 2020. The Department says that it was formed on the basis of the experience of other countries. For example, Kyiv uses equipment similar to that in Vienna and Copenhagen. Initially, two reference (high-precision) stations were installed, which collected data on the quality of atmospheric air. Later, in 2021, the system was supplemented with three more stations. And in 2022, before the start of the full-scale invasion, it was possible to launch two additional posts. So, in total, 7 air quality monitoring stations have been installed in Kyiv, which are located in Darnytskyi, Dniprovskyi, Podilskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Sviatoshynskyi and Holosiivskyi districts. However, according to Oleksandr Vozny, Director of the Department of Environmental Protection and Adaptation to Climate Change, there should be more posts.
"They need more. Another 15-17, just considering that all the equipment is imported and expensive, during the period of martial law, we suspended the purchase of this equipment, because now there are some more important things that need to be spent budget funds on. And for informing and collecting information, 7 posts are quite enough," - explained Oleksandr Vozny.
In addition to reference (high-precision) stations, there are also 46 indicative sensors in the capital, which help to monitor air quality in those districts of Kyiv where there are no main stations.
Reference stations and indicative sensors
The difference between reference stations and indicative sensors is that the latter collect samples less frequently and measure them with less accuracy. Reference stations are posts the size of a container, which occupy a small area and are quite autonomous, because they do not require a special employee to perform all tasks. Everything is done by a computer. Such stations are designed to measure a wide range of pollutants with greater accuracy. And indicative sensors are smaller in size, they can be placed on poles or trees, and their main function is to complement the entire system. However, some indicative sensors are currently undergoing maintenance. But they promise to return them soon.
Sensors are regularly calibrated - this is the adjustment and verification of the accuracy of measuring instruments, which establishes the correspondence between the readings of the instrument and the real values that it should measure. This is done to ensure that the device shows correct results during operation. And also the sensors are verified, that is, the issuance of a corresponding document on the serviceability of the equipment.
Where can I see the results of the KCSA monitoring system analysis?
All data collected by the sensors of the monitoring system is freely available to everyone, and you can view it either on the website of the Department, or in the "Kyiv Digital" application.
"One of the advantages of the monitoring system is that it is automated and user-friendly. In other words, all the data that the sensors collect every minute is automatically sent to the system, and residents of the city can monitor the state of the air in real time in the "Kyiv Digital" application," - said the director of the Department of Environmental Protection and Adaptation to Climate Change.
Funds for the implementation of the project were allocated from the city budget. However, this system was completed with the funds of patrons. For example, after the start of the full-scale invasion, when the racists seized Chernobyl, people began to wonder about the radiation background in the capital. At that moment, a company responded, which donated the city and integrated radiation measurement sensors into the monitoring system free of charge. Therefore, now, just as with air quality, you can also monitor the radiation background of the capital in the "Kyiv Digital" application.
Central Geophysical Observatory named after Borys Sreznevsky - what the monitoring system consists of
The Central Geophysical Observatory named after Borys Sreznevsky has been monitoring air quality in the capital since 1965. Today, the observatory has 16 stationary observation posts equipped with the necessary instruments for air sampling. They are located in 8 out of 10 districts of Kyiv. There are no PSO only in Darnytskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts.
In addition to Kyiv, the Central Geophysical Observatory named after Borys Sreznevsky also serves the Kyiv region in terms of laboratory control indicators. For example, there are posts in Bila Tserkva, Brovary, Ukrainka and Obukhiv. Also, due to the lack of their own chemical laboratories in Zhytomyr and Chernihiv, the observatory conducts analysis of samples for these cities as well.
"Samples are taken at their posts once a week and sent to us. We analyze, and at the end of the month all the information is collected, we send it to our information department, and they already provide them with certificates of atmospheric air pollution in their cities. Then, on the basis of all these data, a semi-annual certificate on the state of the air is prepared, as well as an annual report for the whole of Ukraine," - said Nina Rotach, head of the atmospheric air pollution monitoring laboratory.
How the Central Geophysical Observatory studies air
Sampling is carried out 4 times a day and takes place in accordance with existing state standards and guidelines. Here, the air quality verification process takes a little longer compared to the KCSA monitoring system. First, samples are taken into Richter's glass absorbers or sorption tubes with a sorbent. Then, laboratory assistants arrive at the post, collect samples and take them to the laboratory. There, atmospheric air samples are analyzed in accordance with the requirements of the "Manual on Atmospheric Pollution Control" from 1991.
During the year, up to 80-90 thousand samples are taken at 16 observatory posts, which are analyzed in the atmospheric air pollution monitoring laboratory.
Photocolorimetric, atomic absorption, spectrophotometric methods and gas chromatography methods, as well as traditional physico-chemical methods of analysis are used for sample analysis in the laboratory.
The equipment used in the observatory undergoes annual technical inspection, just like the KCSA monitoring system, the above-mentioned calibration and verification of instruments. Also this year, the atmospheric air pollution monitoring laboratory passed the certification from SE "Ukrmetrteststandart".
The observatory publishes its research on the website in the form of daily tables with recorded indicators and in the form of summary information with indicators for the month.
Alternative monitoring systems and how Kyiv became a world leader in air pollution
According to the general index of atmospheric pollution, the capital regularly ranks among the cities with a high level of pollution.
Among the international organizations fighting air pollution is the Swiss company "IQAir", which forms the world index of the state of atmospheric air. Thus, in 2022, according to this company, Kyiv was included in the anti-rating of the most polluted cities in the world. At that time, the Department of Environmental Protection and Adaptation to Climate Change was actively working on its air quality monitoring system. And they found that the source of information for "IQАir" was 8 anonymous users in the city of Kyiv. According to the KCSA, these were people who installed private sensors, for example, just in their yard. According to Vozny, the problem was that these sensors measured pollution only by one indicator - PM 2.5 (suspended solid microparticles) and did not always provide accurate data.
"Based on these data, Kyiv was included in the ranking of the dirtiest cities. We started developing the city system, we have more reliable information about the state of the air. We contacted "IQair" and prepared the appropriate software for them to take data from the city monitoring system. Because it was very important that they operate with reliable data, which is determined by our standards and laws. In addition, we do this at the expense of more accurate equipment," - said Oleksandr Vozny.
Since then, according to the Director of the Department, Kyiv has moved to the ratings of the cleanest capitals of the world. For example, in 2023, Kyiv took 22nd place in the ranking with the cleanest air.
Data from the monitoring system can be obtained not only through "Kyiv Digital" or the already mentioned "IQАir", but also on the Saveecobot platform. In addition, there you can see that air quality monitoring is also carried out by private initiatives, and the Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University also has its own post.
In addition, the portal of the "World Air Quality Index" project publishes data. The interactive map of the project displays data from a large number of sensors. However, we were unable to find data from the monitoring system installed by the KCSA there. Instead, there are sensors installed by private or public initiative (whether to trust their data or not is an open question), some of which have been inactive for a long time. Another source of information is the interactive map Sensor.Community - a global sensor network that creates open environmental data. But there are not many of their sensors in the capital.
What substances are monitored in the air and what are their dangers
The main substances measured by the monitoring system of the Department of Environmental Protection and Adaptation to Climate Change include: sulfur dioxide, nitrogen and carbon oxides, ozone, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, formaldehyde, benzene.
Solid particles are also measured - this is fine dust that is formed during industrial production, fires and waste combustion. The KCSA air quality monitoring system records the state of the air using the common air quality index CAQI. This index is measured by indicators of several pollutants, the concentration of which in large doses is harmful to human health. Next, the digital indicator CAQI is assigned a level that reflects the potential harm to human health. The KCSA uses a five-level scale, in which the CAQI indicator varies from 0 to one that exceeds one hundred.
At the posts of the Central Geophysical Observatory named after Borys Sreznevsky, all the above-mentioned substances are also sampled and analyzed. But in addition to them, the laboratory measures suspended substances, soluble sulfates, nitrogen dioxide, phenol, hydrogen chloride and fluoride, heavy metals.
The main pollutants in the air of the capital are formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide. The average annual concentrations of these substances exceed the average daily MPC (maximum permissible concentration) by 2-3 times. Especially in warm periods of the year, the average monthly concentrations of these impurities can reach excesses of sanitary and hygienic norms by 5-6 times. In general, if we talk only about formaldehyde, it is a colorless gas that is formed as a result of imperfect combustion of fossil fuels or waste. Prolonged inhalation of this substance is able to provoke not only general weakness and the appearance of allergic reactions, but also much more serious health problems, up to the development of oncological diseases. Severe formaldehyde poisoning can provoke the development of changes even at the gene level.
Nitrogen dioxide is also a colorless gas that enters the air from car exhaust, which is the main source of air pollution in the city. Automobile emissions account for 80% of all emissions into the atmospheric air.
Also, in the air of some districts of the city, increased concentrations of suspended substances, carbon monoxide, phenol, and nitrogen oxide are noted. Such substances in particular have a negative impact on the respiratory tract and nervous system.
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