South Karelia's 2023 air quality report has been completed

In 2023, the daily guideline value for sulfur compounds (TRS) was not exceeded at the measuring stations of the South Karelia measuring network.
The highest TRS concentrations were measured at Imatra in Pelkola. High hourly concentrations were occasionally measured at all measuring stations.
Sulfur dioxide concentrations (SO2) were below the guideline values ​​of the Finnish Government. The highest concentrations in the measuring network were measured at the Pelkola measuring station in Imatra. In general, sulfur dioxide concentrations increased during malfunctions in the forest industry and due to long-range transport during south-southeast winds.
The concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) were the highest in Lappeenranta at the Ihalainen 2 measuring station. The concentration level of nitrogen oxides was increased by the operation of the nearby mining area and the demolition work carried out in the mining area, and the traffic in the area.

Inhalable particles are the most in downtown areas
In the area of ​​the entire measurement network, the highest PM10 concentrations were measured at the measurement stations in the center of Joutseno and the center of Lappeenranta, and in Imatra at the measurement station in Mansikkala. The Government's daily guideline value (70 μg/m³) was exceeded in Lappeenranta at the measuring station in the center of Joutseno. At all measurement stations, the highest concentrations of respirable particles (PM10) were measured in spring during the street dust season.
Small particles (PM2,5) were measured at Imatra in Teppanala and Lappeenranta at Tirilä and Pulpi measuring stations. The WHO's new daily guideline value of 15 μg/m3 was exceeded during 2023 at the Tirilä and Pulpi measuring stations. The annual limit value (38 μg/m2011) given by the Finnish Government in its decree (25/3) was not exceeded at the measurement points of the South Karelia measurement network.
Rainwater precipitation from the South Karelia region was collected in 2023 at three precipitation collection points in Lappeenranta. Average sulfur deposition has decreased over the past twenty years. The target level of 300 mg/m²/a given by the Government was exceeded in 2023 at the Ihalainen 2 deposition station. Sediment sulfur, pH, calcium and phosphorus levels were higher than the background level.

Summary completed, follow daily online
In accordance with separate agreements, Imatra's regional environmental agency has been responsible for monitoring the urban air quality in the cities of Imatra and Lappeenranta. A written annual summary report (Air quality annual report 2023) is prepared annually from the measurement results, which can be read at Reports | Imatra
The air quality situation is reported using the air quality index, which divides the air quality into five categories. The hourly updated air quality situation can be checked on South Karelia's own air quality information page ekilmanlaatu.net and from the air quality website maintained by the Finnish Meteorological Institute Air quality - Institute of Meteorology, says the environmental protection planner Riikka Litmanen From the Imatra region's environmental initiative.
In addition to the Internet, the air quality bulletin can be read in Uutisvuoksi's Tuesday and Sunday publications.

Additional information:
Environmental protection planner Riikka Litmanen, tel. 020 61 74301, riika.litmanenimatra.fi (riikka[dot]litmanen[at]imatra[dot]fi)
Environmental inspector Arto Ahonen, tel. 020 61 74392, arto.ahonenimatra.fi (arto[dot]ahonen[at]imatra[dot]fi)
Environmental engineer Minna Ahlqvist, tel. 020 61 74319, minna.ahlqvistimatra.fi (minna[dot]ahlqvist[at]imatra[dot]fi)