High Dust Concentration in Yerevan
A significant increase in air pollution has been recorded in Yerevan in recent days. Gayane Shahbazaryan, Deputy Head of the “Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center” of the Ministry of Environment, reported that the dust concentration in the Kentron administrative district of the capital exceeded the permissible limit by up to 4 times during the period from November 17 to 25. The highest indicators were recorded on November 21 and 25.
According to Shahbazaryan, the indicator exceeded the norm by 1.1 to 1.6 times in the Arabkir administrative district, and only on November 25, by 1.2 times in Shengavit. An increase in sulfur dioxide was also observed in various parts of the city, but its level did not exceed the established permissible norm.
The specialist noted that this increase is characteristic of this time of year, especially in the Ararat Valley: the sharp drop in air temperature during nighttime hours and the lack of wind lead to the accumulation of cold air masses.
Shahbazaryan also addressed the unofficial measurements circulating on social media, emphasizing that they often spread panic:
“Many citizens use non-professional devices, and the data, without quality control, is immediately disseminated. We advise following only official measurements that pass through multiple stages of accuracy.”