InfoHub Logo

Atyrau has been engulfed by a powerful dust storm, leaving the city shrouded in a thick, grey haze. Residents are reporting discomfort, including sore throats and dry sensations, with dust settling rapidly on clothing and footwear.

Air Quality Deterioration

According to Kazhydromet, wind speeds are reaching 10-13 meters per second from the southeast. This strong wind is lifting fine particles from the ground, creating a dense curtain of dust.

An analysis of air quality data from the IQAir platform revealed a PM2.5 concentration of 7.4 μg/m³. While this figure is approximately 1.5 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended annual average, it is not considered extremely high.

However, the AirKZ application indicated that levels of certain pollutants have exceeded normal limits.

Specific Pollution Readings

In the Zvezda microdistrict, near School No. 39, ground-level ozone (O₃) reached 248 μg/m³. This reading is 1.6 times the permissible limit, indicating a very high level of pollution.

Ground-level ozone is a component of photochemical smog, formed by the reaction of emissions with sunlight. Inhaling ground-level ozone can irritate the respiratory tract, leading to coughing, chest pain, and exacerbation of chronic lung diseases.

Additionally, on February 27th at 3:00 PM, increased concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) were recorded. In the Samal microdistrict, NO₂ levels were 54.6 μg/m³, and near the city administration building, it was 47.2 μg/m³. Hydrogen sulfide levels were also elevated, reaching 2.0 μg/m³ in Samal, and high readings were noted in the Kurshay and Khimpoyolok microdistricts.

Official Responses

In response to the situation, representatives from the Atyrau Region's Department for Emergency Situations and the "Ak Zhaik" State Nature Reserve provided official comments. They stated that no fire incidents have been registered in the region.

The Department of Ecology reported that stationary monitoring stations have not detected exceedances of permissible pollutant concentrations. Monitoring of atmospheric air quality is conducted on an ongoing basis.

Residents are advised to limit their time outdoors until weather conditions improve.

Бұл туралы Infohub.kz ақпарат агенттігі хабарлайды.