The street dust season has begun

Particle concentrations have increased in the air and air quality may deteriorate, especially along busy streets and in downtown areas.

- When the snow melts and the road surfaces dry out, the sand applied to prevent slipping and the asphalt and gravel ground by the tires rise into the air from the now dry road surface due to traffic, says the environmental protection planner Riikka Litmanen From the Imatra region's environmental initiative.

Snow melt waters and water rains may momentarily lower particle concentrations and improve air quality.

The start of street cleaning works depends on night frosts and weather conditions

Efforts have been made to start the sandblasting sand cleaning work at Imatra as soon as the weather conditions allow it. 

— It is estimated that the street cleaning will begin in full force in the middle of April. Preparatory work is already being done for that, says the responsible foreman Mika Vartiainen from Imatran Kiinteistö- ja aluepalvelut Oy.

Street dust may cause symptoms in sensitive population groups, such as allergy sufferers, asthmatics and heart patients. Symptoms can be e.g. nasal congestion, cough, anxiety of spirit and roughness of throat.

For more information:

environmental protection planner Riikka Litmanen, Imatra regional environmental agency, riika.litmanenimatra.fi (riikka[dot]litmanen[at]imatra[dot]fi), tel. 020 617 4301
responsible foreman Mika Vartiainen, Imatran Kiinteistö- ja aluepalvelut Oy, mika. the guardimatrankipa.fi (mika[dot]vartiainen[at]imatrankipa[dot]fi)