Not only Kyiv is affected: air quality has deteriorated in several regions of Ukraine, with residents complaining of smog. What's going on

On the morning of Friday, September 20, smog covered a number of Ukrainian regions. The air was found to be polluted in Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv regions.

Residents of these regions are advised to stay indoors and close their windows. According to the IQair service, as of the morning of September 20, Kyiv ranked first among the world's cities in terms of air pollution.

The second one shows Cairo, the capital of Egypt.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine said that the cause of air deterioration in Kyiv is the burning of peatlands and other ecosystems and autumn temperature drops.

Yes, as of 10:00 a.m., a significant excess of fine particles, such as dust, soot, and smoke, is recorded in the air of Kyiv and its environs.

The Ministry of Environment reminded that every fall, due to temperature differences between day and night, temperature inversions occur, which cause the accumulation of harmful substances in the surface air layer.

Warm air and humidity lead to fog, and harmful substances from various emission sources are hardly dissipated. This affects air quality and pollution indicators, the agency explained.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, for its part, added that the smoke was also caused by wind changes and minor fires in ecosystems. In particular, in peatlands and open areas of Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions.

According to the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, the accumulation of harmful impurities in the surface layer of the atmosphere is facilitated by a weak north, northeast wind. The radiation background is normal, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

The agency informed that as of the morning of September 20, rescuers are eliminating 21 large-scale fires in ecosystems with a total area of about 2,200 hectares in Ukraine.

About 860 people and 201 units of SES equipment, as well as three Ukrzaliznytsia fire trains, are involved in the work.

The Kyiv Regional State Emergency Administration said that fires of peat bogs, grass flooring, and forest litter were recorded in Vyshgorod, Brovary, Obukhiv, and Boryspil districts. Rescuers continue to eliminate the fires, the statement said.

According to the results from automated air monitoring stations, the region's air quality exceeds the permissible concentrations of chemical and biological substances.

Air monitoring is ongoing, the EIA said.

Dnipro also complained about smog. Local publics write that the city has been experiencing heavy air and stench since the morning.

How to protect your health from polluted air during smog

To reduce health damage from polluted air, the Ministry of Environment recommends

- Limit your time outdoors;

- refrain from physical activity in the open air;

- close windows and doors tightly;

- refuse to ventilate the room, and use air conditioning and air purification systems if possible;

- Do wet cleaning in living quarters;

- increase fluid intake to 2-3 liters per day;

- in case of respiratory system diseases, always have the necessary medications with you;

- consult a doctor if you feel unwell.

People with diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems should pay special attention to these tips, the ministry said.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, on Friday morning, the Kyiv City State Administration announced a temporary deterioration in the air quality. The reason was called an increase in dust concentration associated with fires in the ecosystem of the region.

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