Air Quality Deteriorates in the Capital
The significant increase in pollution recorded in the air of Yerevan last night is due to large fires that have broken out in various parts of the Republic of Armenia (RA). Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan stated this today during a working consultation, emphasizing that the toxins emitted from these types of fires are considerably harmful to health.
According to the Mayor, the chemical compounds and smoke particles resulting from such fires are more dangerous than construction dust; the latter is 3 to 5 times less harmful to health. Consequently, a sharp deterioration in air quality has been recorded in the capital.
The Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body, for its part, reminds that burning waste resulting from leaf fall not only exacerbates the pollution problem but is also prohibited by law. According to the current Administrative Code, the burning of leaves or other residues by citizens may lead to a warning or a fine of 50,000 drams, while the same violation by officials may result in a fine of 200,000 drams.
The Inspection Body urges citizens to refrain from burning and to use legal methods of waste collection and disposal, thereby preventing both air pollution and potential harm to their own health.