Multiple exceedances of maximum permissible concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in the atmospheric air have been recorded in Aktobe and Astana, reports infohub.kz.
According to data from the RSE "Kazhydromet" of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the actual content of hydrogen sulfide in the air of Aktobe was 24 micrograms per cubic meter, which is three times higher than the maximum permissible concentration (MPC).
On August 8, Aktobe is expected to experience intense heat up to 36–38 degrees Celsius, with a northeast wind shifting to west, at a speed of 7–12 meters per second. Weather forecasters warn: "On the night of August 9, 2026, meteorological conditions will contribute to the accumulation of pollutants in the city's atmosphere. Overall, an elevated level of air pollution is expected in the city."
In the capital, heat up to 32–34 degrees Celsius is also forecast today, with a northeast wind of 3–8 meters per second. According to ecologists and meteorologists, weather conditions will contribute to the accumulation of pollutants. The hydrogen sulfide content in Astana's air is 46 micrograms per cubic meter, which is 5.8 times higher than the norm.
In Almaty, a similar temperature is expected – 32–34 degrees Celsius, with a northeast wind of 3–8 meters per second. The report notes: "Meteorological conditions will contribute to the accumulation of pollutants in the city's atmosphere." The concentration of particulate matter PM-2.5 in Almaty was 182 micrograms per cubic meter, which is 1.1 times higher than the MPC.
Exceedances of hydrogen sulfide content were also recorded in Petropavlovsk – 22 micrograms per cubic meter (2.8 times the MPC). In Kostanay, the level of sulfur dioxide reached 2510 micrograms per cubic meter, which exceeds the norm by 5.02 times, and nitrogen dioxide – 536 micrograms per cubic meter (2.681 times the norm).
In Ust-Kamenogorsk, an exceedance of the MPC for hydrogen sulfide was noted at 1.613 times (actual concentration 13 micrograms per cubic meter), as well as for sulfur dioxide – 1.62 times (810 micrograms per cubic meter). In Temirtau, the concentration of hydrogen sulfide is 8 micrograms per cubic meter, which equals the maximum permissible value.
In the air of Aktau, the hydrogen sulfide content was 8 micrograms per cubic meter, which is almost equal to the maximum permissible norm (0.95 of it). In other cities of Kazakhstan where studies were conducted, the content of pollutants is within the MPC.