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The day the world’s most polluted city was in Siberia

By 0 and 0 and 0
21 February 2020

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A resident of Krasnoayrsk poses on a hill with the city on the background. Picture: social media Krasnoyarsk 

The locals here, four time zones east of Moscow, call it Black Sky, a combination of weather conditions and the spews from dozens plants in the industrial city of one million people on the Yenisei river. Residents are urged to remain indoors, not open windows, wash floors more often than usual, and clear their noses and throats, or leave town if they have the chance. 

It was on 17 February that airvisual.com measured air quality in Krasnoyarsk as worse than anywhere in the world. 

The pictures here show how the city looked on this gloomy day. 

The AQI - air quality index - was at 226 compared with nearest rival Mumbai on 180. At the time it was the only Russian city in the top ten worst offenders.

Since then things have improved, but the acute pollution is far from unknown here. 

The day the world’s most polluted city was in Siberia


The day the world’s most polluted city was in Siberia


The day the world’s most polluted city was in Siberia
The Black Sky emergency mode was imposed sin 14 February in an attempt to reduce the smog. Pictures: social media Krasnoyarsk 


The city has a longstanding problem inherited from Soviet times even though it stands amid pristine Siberian nature with spectacular mountain views. 

The smog pollution comprises tiny particles of soot, asphalt, tyres, sulphates, nitrates, as well as compounds of heavy metals, nitrogen oxide and dioxide from emissions of cars and power station, and sulphur dioxide.

A major aluminium works and coal-fired heating plants are blamed.

The high level of contamination has led to demands for cuts in emissions from local industrial companies by up to 20%, with locals asking to switch from coal to natural gas in fuelling the nearby power stations. In 2016, some 200 companies were held liable for air contamination, with total fines at 2 million roubles - or $31,500.

The day the world’s most polluted city was in Siberia


The day the world’s most polluted city was in Siberia


The day the world’s most polluted city was in SiberiaйThe day the world’s most polluted city was in Siberia


The day the world’s most polluted city was in Siberia


The day the world’s most polluted city was in Siberia
The day the world’s most polluted city was in Siberia. Pictures: social media Krasnoyarsk, AirVisual.com


Metals plant RUSAL Krasnoyarsk was run 2018 targeted by local officials over alleged air contamination.

The governor of Krasnoyarsk region Alexander Uss has called for 'a set of extra measures to improve the environmental situation in the city’.

The Black Sky emergency mode was imposed sin 14 February in an attempt to reduce the smog.

Comments (3)

Different countries have their own air quality indices, corresponding to different national air quality standards. Yes its bad in Krasnoyarsk, but I wonder if its as bad as been said
Alex, Sweden
26/02/2020 15:20
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5
Images of such environmental problem reality (like shown in these pics) can really damage the image of Russian prestige to the outside world, when it is obvious that things could be made so much better with some very easy fixes.
Lets hope the authorities do themselves a favor by doing something about it. If it is not acceptable in places like Moscow, St.Petersburg or Vladivostok, then surely it is not acceptable anywhere else within the Russian Federation?
Richard Marsden, Kendal, UK
22/02/2020 18:12
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I am willing to support a local high school in Krasnoyarsk with a particle sensor. The editors of ST have my email.
Theo Jurriens, Groningen/the Netherlands
21/02/2020 20:12
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1

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