Air quality in Imatra and Lappeenranta mostly good

Odors can be felt at times

In 2025, the air quality in South Karelia was affected by the annual spring street dust period, process disruptions in the region's industrial plants, long-distance transport and inversion situations. In 2025, the air quality was affected by the decrease in traffic volumes caused by the continued closure of the Russian border. According to the air quality index, the air quality was at least 83 percent good at all measuring stations in 2025.

In 2025, the daily guideline value for odorous sulfur compounds (TRS) in March in Tirilä, Lappeenranta. The highest TRS concentrations were measured in Tirilä and Rautionkylä, Imatra. Elevated TRS concentrations were measured at all measuring stations from time to time.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentrations were below the Finnish Government's guideline and limit values ​​and below the WHO guideline values. The highest concentrations in the measurement network were measured at the Pelkola measuring station in Imatra. Generally, sulfur dioxide concentrations increased during forest industry malfunctions and due to the effect of long-distance transport during south-southeasterly winds.

Nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) concentrations were highest in the city centre. Nitrogen oxides concentrations were increased by traffic in the city centre and nearby apartment buildings. In 2025, the concentration levels were below the Finnish Government's guideline and limit values ​​and below the WHO guideline values.

Inhalable particles are the most in downtown areas

The highest PM10 concentrations in the entire measurement network were measured at the measuring stations in the city centre of Lappeenranta and Mansikkala in Imatra. The Government's daily guideline value was exceeded in the city centre of Lappeenranta and Mansikkala in March 2025. The highest concentrations of respirable particles (PM10) at all measuring stations were measured in the spring in March-April during the street dust period.

Fine particles (PM2,5) were measured in Imatra at Teppanala and in Lappeenranta at the measuring stations in Tirilä, Pulpi, Ojala-Tuomela, Ihalainen and the centre of Lappeenranta. The WHO's new daily guideline value was exceeded at all measuring stations in our measuring network during 2025. The annual limit value set by the Finnish Government in its decree (38/2011) was not exceeded in the area of ​​our measuring network in 2025, but the WHO annual guideline value was exceeded at the Pulpi, Tirilä and Teppanala measuring stations.

On 20 November 2024, the EU published a new air quality directive 2024/2881, which sets new air quality limit values ​​that will enter into force in Finland after national legislation is adopted. The new limit values ​​must be achieved by 1 January 2030. 

Summary completed

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 2025) is prepared annually from the measurement results, which can be read at Reports | Imatra

Hourly updated air quality information can be found online.

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

In addition to the Internet, the air quality bulletin can be read in the Thursday publications of Uutisvuoksi.

For more 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)