The brushing of the streets began

At Imatra, the brushing of the sanding wreath that had accumulated during the winter started yesterday. All the sanded fairways are brushed and the central places are also washed clean.

– All the busiest destinations; Imatrankoski, Vuoksenniska, the center of Rajapatsaa, the central transport station and the surroundings of shops are washed. The same is done for dividers, roundabouts and bridges, says the foreman Jarmo Varjus From Imatra's Real Estate and Area Service. 

Brushing and washing the exterior areas takes four to five weeks.

Air quality varies

Environmental protection planner for the Imatra region's environmental department Riikka Litmanen according to this spring, there has been more street dust in the air than in recent years. Dust is in the air, especially in dry and windy weather, until the sand from the streets has been removed.  

- Cleaning the sand is very important, because spring street dust is created when the sand spread on the streets during the winter rubs into dust in the breathing air. Pollen also increases total particle concentrations, but since pollen particles are larger in diameter, they mostly remain on mucous membranes. Smaller particles, on the other hand, travel up to the lungs with impurities. Dust can be dangerous for sensitive people, children, the elderly and allergy sufferers.  

However, you can try to avoid dust and protect yourself from it. 

- You can avoid particularly dusty places and times. The now widely used respirator also protects against street dust. I myself have used a respirator and goggles when cycling so that dust does not get into the eyes, says Litmanen.  

According to Litmanen, there will be more dust in the air than usual as long as the sands can be cleaned. The spring rains that follow finish the job.

Air quality at different measurement points and news related to air quality in South Karelia are updated at the address ekilmanlaatu.net

For more information:

Jarmo Varjus, foreman Jarmo Varjus Imatra Real Estate and Area Service, jarmo.varjusimatrankipa.fi (jarmo[dot]varjus[at]imatrankipa[dot]fi) +0400 - 152 659
Riikka Litmanen, environmental protection planner, Imatra regional environmental agency, riika.litmanenimatra.fi (riikka[dot]litmanen[at]imatra[dot]fi), tel. 020 - 617 4301