The capital of Russia is one of the largest cities on the planet. Of course, it contains all the problems of megacities. The main one is air pollution in Moscow. The problem appeared more than a decade ago and is only getting worse every year. This can cause a real man-made environmental disaster.
Norm of clean atmospheric air
Natural atmospheric air is a mixture of gases, the main of which are nitrogen and oxygen. Their volume is 97-99%, depending on the terrain and atmospheric pressure. Also in small quantities in the air contains carbon dioxide, hydrogen, inert gases, water vapor. Such a composition is considered optimal for life. As a result of this, there is a constant circulation of gases in nature.
But human activity makes significant changes to it. For example, just in a closed room without plants, one person in a few hours can change the percentage of oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor only due to the fact that he will breathe there. Imagine what air pollution can be like in Moscow today, where millions of people live, thousands of cars drive and huge industrial enterprises work.
The main harmful impurities
According to research, the most concentrated in the atmosphere above the city are phenol, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, benzapyrene, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide. Therefore, an increase in the percentage of these gases entails a decrease in oxygen concentration. Today it can be stated that the level of air pollution in Moscow exceeded permissible standards by 1.5-2 times, which becomes extremely dangerous for people living in this territory. After all, not only do they not receive the oxygen they need, they also poison the body with dangerous poisonous and carcinogenic gases, which have a huge concentration in the Moscow air, even indoors.
Sources of air pollution in Moscow
Why is it becoming increasingly difficult to breathe every year in the capital of Russia? According to recent studies, automobiles are the main cause of air pollution in Moscow. They filled the capital on every large freeway and small street, on the avenues and in the yards. 83% of carbon oxides enter the atmosphere precisely due to the operation of internal combustion engines.
In the capital there are several large industrial enterprises that also act as sources that cause air pollution in Moscow. Although most of them have modern purification systems, life-threatening gases still enter the atmosphere.
The third largest polluting source is large thermal power plants and boiler houses that operate on coal and fuel oil. They enrich the air of the metropolis with a large number of combustion products, such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Factors that increase the concentration of harmful substances
It is noteworthy that the amount of harmful gases in the air of the capital of Russia is not always the same everywhere. There are several factors that contribute to its purification or greater pollution.
According to statistics, one person in Moscow accounts for about 7 square meters of green space. This is very small compared to other big cities. In those regions where the concentration of parks is greater, the air is much cleaner than in the rest of the city. During cloudy weather, air cannot be cleaned by itself, and a large amount of gas is collected near the earth, which causes complaints of the local population about feeling unwell. High humidity also holds gases near the ground, causing air pollution in Moscow. But frosty weather, on the contrary, can temporarily clean it.
The most polluted regions
In the capital, the industrial regions of the Southern and Southeast are considered the dirtiest regions. Especially bad air in Kapotnya, Lublin, Maryino, Biryulyovo. Large industrial plants are located here.
High levels of air pollution in Moscow and directly in the center. There are no huge enterprises, but the largest concentration of cars. In addition, everyone remembers the famous Moscow traffic jams. It is in them that machines produce the most harmful gases, because the engines do not work at full capacity, and oil products do not have time to burn out completely, forming carbon monoxide.
Thermal power plants are also most in central Moscow. They burn coal and fuel oil, enriching the air with all the same carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. In addition, they also give dangerous carcinogens, significantly affecting the health of Muscovites.
Clean air in Moscow
There are relatively clean regions in the capital where the level of harmful gases is approaching normal. Of course, cars and small industry leave their negative mark here as well, but compared to industrial regions it is quite clean and fresh. Geographically, these are western regions, especially those located beyond the MKAD. In Yasenevo, Teply Stan and Northern Butovo you can breathe deeply without fear. In the northern part of the city there are also several areas that are relatively favorable for normal life - these are Mitino, Strogino and Krylatskoe. In all other respects, air pollution in Moscow today can be called close to critical. This is especially alarming because every year the situation is only getting worse. There are fears that soon there will be no areas in the city where the air will be more or less clean.
Disease
The inability to breathe normally causes a number of unpleasant sensations and chronic diseases. Especially sensitive to this are children and the elderly.
Scientists say that air pollution in Moscow now has caused every fifth asthma or asthmatic factor. Children are five times more likely to suffer from pneumonia, bronchitis, adenoids and polyps of the upper respiratory tract.
Lack of oxygen causes oxygen starvation of the brain. As a result of this, frequent headaches, migraines, and a low level of concentration of attention develop . Dangerous carbon monoxide causes drowsiness and general fatigue. Against the background of all this, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neuroses develop.
The presence of a large amount of dust in the air does not allow natural filters in the nose to hold it all. It enters the lungs, settles in them and reduces their volume. In addition, dust can contain very dangerous substances that, when accumulated, cause cancerous tumors.
When Muscovites fall out of town or in the forest, they begin to feel dizzy and migraine. So the body reacts to an unusually large amount of oxygen that enters the bloodstream. This abnormal phenomenon shows the real effect of air pollution in Moscow on human health.
The fight for air purification
Every year, scientists carefully study the causes, factors and rates of air pollution in Moscow. 2014 showed that there is a tendency to worsen, although measures are constantly being taken to reduce harmful impurities in the air.
At factories and thermal power plants, filters are installed that hold the most dangerous products of their activity. To unload the automobile stream, new interchanges, bridges and tunnels are being built. To make the air much cleaner, the area of green spaces is constantly increasing. After all, nothing cleans the atmosphere like trees. Administrative penalties are also being taken. For violation of the gas exchange regime and the release of more harmful gases, both private car owners and large enterprises are fined.
But still, the results of the forecasts are disappointing. Soon in Moscow, clean air may become a deficit, as has already happened in the largest cities in the world. To prevent this from happening tomorrow, today you need to think about whether it is worth leaving the car with the engine on for a long time while you are waiting for someone at the entrance.