Air pollution in Russia

Air pollution in Russia is in serious form as there have been a large number of deaths which is
caused by atmospheric air pollution especially in towns. A research of Weather Service of Russia
shows 219,000 to 233,000 premature deaths or 15-17% of total annual mortality might be caused
by air pollution in Russia. Also it is shown that about 2000 4000 people who fall ill with cancer
as a result of exposure to all carcinogens which were present in the atmosphere. (Reshetin &
Kazazyan, 2004)

Major Air pollutants in Russia

There are many air pollutants in Russia and most of these are the emissions from various
industries. Despite of these pollutants, considering the severity of the effect of exposure another
pollutant, benzene, which is found in huge quantities in the areas with high levels of cigarette
smokers, causes about 60.03% of air pollutant related cancers. Production of benzene occurs as a
byproduct of combustion of coal, oil and tobacco smokes. Motor vehicle exhaust also contains
benzene to some quantity. (EPA, Benzene, 2012)

Chromium (VI) is the second pollutant which causes almost 16.59% of air pollution related
cancers as found in a research in 10 cities. (Reshetin & Kazazyan, 2004). Chromium is found as
the byproduct in steel and cement production, also in chrome painting and during the
manufacture of pigments and dyes. Since Chromium is widely used in major industrial process
people are exposed to chromium through daily activities such as breathing, eating and drinking
water. Chromium pollution causes sickness like vomiting and abdominal ache. Chromium has
known carcinogen effect and has direct link with lung cancer. Also Chromium pollution causes
complications during prenancy. (EPA, Chromium Compound, 2000)

There are also some other air pollutant emitted to envoromental air among those carbon
monoxide, sufur oxides (SOx), Nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compound (VOC) and
particulate matters (PM) has direct and indirect effect on human health. Carbon monoxide caused
by incomplete combustion of fuels has the effect of lowering blood oxygen levels reducing
oxygen carrying capacity also slows reflexes and increases confusion and sleepiness. SOx
sourced from industrial processes and vehicle emissions causes decrease in pulmonary function.
Also, causes eye irritation and respiratory inflammation. NOx causes bronchitis also reduces
lung functionality. (Kuruganti, 2012) PM with size less than 2.5 micrometer are considered main
threat to human health as it passes the wall of the lung into the blood and thus causes premature
deaths. (Makarova, Ionov, Rakitin, & Orlov, 2011)

Current pollution status

Recent observation indicates that more than 56.3 million people in 67% of Russian cities are in
danger of high level of air pollution. Only 19% of Russian cities are in low level of air pollution
as the observation says. About 10% of the entire population of Russian Federation who lives in
St. Petersburg and Moscow are exposed to very high level of air pollution. This high level of air
pollution puts the health of the urban people to a very high risk. (Makarova, Ionov, Rakitin, &
Orlov, 2011)

(Makarova, Ionov, Rakitin, & Orlov, 2011)

State statistics of Russian Federation states that from year 2000 to 2008 there is a significant
increase of respiratory symptoms which relates to the high level of air pollution which increases
the children mordibility by almost 20% in eight years. (Makarova, Ionov, Rakitin, & Orlov,
2011)

(Makarova, Ionov, Rakitin, & Orlov, 2011)

Current situation for the prevention of air pollution:

For managing the environmental pollution prevention steps have been taken to protect the
environment. The process consists of the following components.

Legislative basis;
Enforcement instruments and institutional framework;
Compliance control and supervision;
Informational resources; and
Analysis of results and improvement of the system (SAPOZHNIKOVA, 2005)

The current legislative frame work to protect the environment in Russia is consists of a number
of federal laws. To protect the atmospheric air the federal law on Atmospheric air protection
(1998) is applied. (SAPOZHNIKOVA, 2005)

Strategic approach

Untill today the main strategic approach to protect the environment is end of pipe approach. In
this approach, the actual assesment, evaluation, monitoring of control of the industrial pollution
is characterized. In this approach, each plant receives permits for all sorts of hazardous emissions
like eir emission, waste water discharge as well as the waste disposal. These permits sets the
definite limits for a particular industry for these sorts of emissions. This approach also
incorporate polluter pay principle which means the industry which will not comply with the
regulation or in which pollution exceeds the allowable limit then a certain amount of fines will
be applicable. (SAPOZHNIKOVA, 2005)

There are some administrative tools used in Russia in the field of environmental enforcement and
compliance stated below:

- Environmental pollution permitting: this includes the evaluation of environmental quality

standards and maximum emission limits which is based on existing maximum allowable
concentration of the hazardous component.
- Assessing the impact on the environment. And
- Ecological compliance control (SAPOZHNIKOVA, 2005)

Economical instruments for the protection of environment which are actually in force are stated
below:

- Ecological fees: This is the special obligatory payments for any type of emissions
specified in the permits and if the emission exceeds the limit value or if it is operated
without appropriate permits, the payment is five times of the actual payment.

- Environmental fines: This is an administrative penalty or fine if an industry does not

comply with any of the regulation. It is more convenient that the polluter pays a low fine,
 but then takes necessary implementation to comply with all environmental requirements
to prevent further environmental pollution. (SAPOZHNIKOVA, 2005)

References:

EPA, U. (2012, 01). Benzene. Retrieved 01 09, 2013, from Technology Transfer Network Air
Toxis Website: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/benzene.html

EPA, U. (2000, 01). Chromium Compound. Retrieved 01 09, 2013, from Technology Transfer
Network Air Toxis Website: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/chromium.html#ref1

Kuruganti, D. P. (2012, 07 12). Air Pollution: Urgent cause for concern. Retrieved 01 07, 2013,
from health.india.com: http://health.india.com/diseases-conditions/air-pollution-urgent-cause-for-
concern/

Makarova, M. V., Ionov, D. V., Rakitin, A. V., & Orlov, A. V. (2011). CHARACTERIZING THE
IMPACT OF URBAN SOURCES IN RUSSIA ON AIR POLLUTION. 10th Annual CMAS
Conference, (pp. 1-4). Chapel Hill, NC.

(2010). Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis. In M. Research, Formaldehyde and

Leukemia: Epidemiology, Potential Mechanisms, and Implications for Risk Assessment (pp. 181-
191).

Reshetin, V., & Kazazyan, V. (2004). Public-Health Impact of Outdoor Air Pollution in Russia.
Environmental Modeling & Assessment , 43-50.

SAPOZHNIKOVA, D. V. (2005). ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN RUSSIA: THE

EVOLUTION FROM STRICT ENFORCEMENT MEASURES AND ENVIRONMENTAL
COMPLIANCE CONTROL TO NEW COMBINED APPROACHES BASED UPON
PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES. Seventh International Conference on Environmental Compliance
and Enforcement, (pp. 183-187). Marrakech.