The 2022 annual air quality report completed

In 2022, the air quality of South Karelia was weakened by the street dust period every spring, as well as process disturbances that occurred in industrial plants in the region, as well as long-distance drifts and inversion situations. In 2022, air quality was also affected by the corona-era movement restrictions until July 15.7.2022, 30.9.2022, and the partial closure of the Russian border on September XNUMX, XNUMX due to the war situation, as well as labor disputes in the forest industry.

- According to the air quality index, the air quality in 2022 was at least 85 percent good at all measuring stations, says the environmental protection planner Riikka Litmanen.

In 2022, 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 measurement network were measured at the Pulp measurement station in Lappeenranta. In general, sulfur dioxide concentrations increased during malfunctions in the forest industry and due to long-range transport during south-southeast winds.

Nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) concentrations were highest in Imatra at the Mansikkala measuring station and in Lappeenranta at the Ihalainen and Lappeenranta center measuring stations. The concentration level of nitrogen oxides was increased by the busy traffic, as well as the traffic in the nearby parking lot in Mansikkala.

Inhalable particles are the most in downtown areas

In the entire measurement network area, the highest PM10 concentrations were measured at Imatra in Mansikkala and Lappeenranta at the measuring stations in the center of Joutseno. The Government's daily guideline value (70 μg/m³) was exceeded at the measuring stations in the center of Joutseno in Imatra's Mansikkala and Lappeenranta. 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 2022 at the Pulpi measuring station. The annual limit value (38μg/m2011) given by the Finnish Government in its decree (25/3) was not exceeded at the measurement points of the South Karelia measurement network.

The average sulfur deposition of rainwater in the South Karelia region has decreased over the past twenty years. The target level of 300 mg/m²/a given by the Government was exceeded in 2022 at the sediment collecting stations of Pelkola and Pulpi. 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 2022) 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
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)