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BarentsObserver.com - Cross-border news

Sulphure dioxide still major pollutant in Norwegian-Russian border areas



2007-01-08
Nikel plant (Barentsphoto.com)

Nikel plant (Barentsphoto.com)

The highest concentrations of sulphure dioxide (SO2) pollution in Norway are still found along the border to Russia, the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) reports. Emissions from the nickel plants on the Russian side of the border now exceed the total Norwegian suphure dioxide emissions with 500 percent. SFT is also worried about the fact that nickel, cobolt and cupper pollution from the Russian plants are increasing.

According to the daily Sør-Varanger Avis, the Russian border town of Nikel had a total of 91 days with sulphure dioxide concentrations exceeding what is considered threatening doses (90 micrograms SO2 per cubic meter air). The Norwegian border village of Svanvik had one day with the life threatening doses.

If the average level of SO2 in the air exceeds 20 micrograms per cubic meter of air in the course of a year the forests start to decay, SFT reports.

The pollution control authority at the same time notes that despite negative numbers, the general air quality in the area has improved the last years.

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