site.btaSofia to Integrate All Existing Air Quality Monitoring Systems

Sofia, February 1 (BTA) - Sofia will be integrating all existing air quality monitoring systems as part of its efforts to deal with a severe air pollution problem. The project was announced to the press by Environment Minister Neno Dimov on Thursday. "We are trying to integrate all [air quality monitoring] systems: those of non-government organizations, of which there is a myriad but are less precise, and those of the Executive Agency for Environment, which are fewer but a more precise, in order to get a clear picture about the quality of air we breathe," the Minister said.

Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova said that the City Hall has EU funding available for the project. A procedure for selecting a contractor to integrate the systems is due to open in February. The new monitoring system will have 20 stations in Sofia.

Earlier on Thursday, the City Hall received an offer from a research team of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences which will provide more detailed information about the sources of air pollution in Sofia, the Mayor said.

"It is an issue that calls for the efforts of all institutions and all citizens," Fandakova added.

Stefan Dimitrov, who is one of the activists behind the Airtube.info private system for monitoring air quality, said that to have the state and municipal authorities using information from this private system was unthinkable a year ago. He told the official representatives that "it is great that you accept to work together with us" and that "we expect fast and lasting solutions for cleaner air".

He said that the monitoring system used by Airtube.info cost less than 40,000 leva for 500 monitoring stations, or some 80 leva per station. These stations measure particulate matter of 2.5 to 10 microgram, as well as temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure.

Particulate matter is the biggest air pollutant in Bulgaria and the key polluters are the fuel used for heating households (coal, timber or others) and vehicles. The picture aggravates dramatically during the winter months.

The Environment Minister said that the authorities expect new and stricter standards for solid fuel to be enforced next winter.

The Sofia Mayor said that the City Hall is working on a new interactive website for air quality in the capital city.