The cleanest city in Belarus. Hazardous substances do not smell

It includes 112 cities and 22 regional centers. The compilers chose seven criteria that they considered the most important for assessing the standard of living, and, based on official statistics, made several unexpected discoveries, writes “Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus”.

An unexpected discovery was that Minsk was not in the first place. It was overtaken by the small town of Zaslavl with a population of about 14 thousand people, which is not far from the capital. However, it overtook it with a very insignificant difference, and one of the indicators that favorably distinguishes it from Minsk is its higher entrepreneurial activity. Perhaps the reason is that taxes and rent in Minsk are higher - so entrepreneurs are registering more actively outside the capital.

By the way, it is interesting that when a similar study was carried out in Poland, then, according to its results, the capital was also not in first, but in second place. Warsaw was overtaken by the small town of Sopot.

Another interesting observation: the top ten also includes other cities that are located near Minsk - Fanipol, Smolevichi, Logoisk and Dzerzhinsk. They are ahead of all regional cities! Only behind them in the ranking are Brest (7th) and Grodno (8th).

“We assumed that the more industry, the higher the earnings, which means that the better the living conditions for people,” said Dmitry Babitsky, one of the compilers of the rating of cities. - But it turned out that this is not so. Among the industrial cities there are successful ones, and there are not very successful ones. We concluded that concentration of production does not guarantee better living conditions.

For example, Svetlogorsk took the last place in the ranking among industrial centers. He is 104th out of 134th. Other industrial cities - Bobruisk, Pinsk, Slutsk, Slonim - were also surprised by their low positions: they are in the second half of the rating, which suggests serious thoughts. Why does this happen to cities that are supposed to be successful?

The reasons may be not very favorable environmental situation, as well as the fact that these cities are not located on important transport arteries. Those industrial cities that are close to the capital have a higher place in the ranking. Among the industrial centers, the place is occupied by those in which there are enterprises that produce final products for export. But those that produce spare parts are in the lower places.

Here are the criteria scientists considered the most important in assessing cities:

1. Population growth rate from 1989 to 2006.
2. Migration growth for 2005-2006. to the population.
3. Average monthly salary.
4. The share of those employed in small enterprises in the total number of employed (according to the authors, this indicator reflects the progressiveness of local authorities, their understanding of the importance of small business development).
5. The proportion of the economically active population to the total population.
6. The amount of environmental payments for harmful emissions (this indicator allows you to judge the environmental situation in the city).
7. Transport accessibility (distance to administrative, educational, cultural centers, the nearest educational institutions).

Zaslavl
Minsk
Fanipol
Smolevichi
Logoisk
Dzerzhinsk
Brest
Grodno
Zhodino
Columns
Mogilev
Vitebsk
Branch
Molodechno
Zhabinka
G. p. Bolshaya Berestovitsa
Kobrin
Novopolotsk
Gomel
Narovlya
Cherikov
G. p. Round
Polotsk
Soligorsk
Budo-Koshelevo
Maryina Gorka
Zhlobin
Lyakhovichi
Slavgorod
Beshenkovichi
Cherven
Mozyr
Borisov
Ushachi
Malorita
Dokshitsy
High
G. p. Belynichi
Kirovsk
Slides
G. p. Loev
Dyatlovo
Mstislav
Baranovichi
Nesvizh
Ivatsevichi
Kopyl
Smorgon
Novogrudok
G. p. Sharkovshchina
Verkhnedvinsk
Kamyanets
Klichev
Volozhin
Birch
Rechitsa
Volkovysk
G. p. Bragin
Stolin
Ostrovets
G. p. Shumilino
Old Roads
Shchuchin
Beloozersk
G. p. Glusk
Kosovo
Deep
G. p. Krasnopolye
Shklov
Osipovichi
Svisloch
Bobruisk
Mikashevichi
Berezino
Chausy
Tolochin
Miory
Pinsk
Ivanovo
Lepel
Kalinkovichi
Luninets
Chechersk
Slutsk
Yelsk
G. p. Voronovo
G. p. Karma
Town
G. p. Rossony
Lyuban
Skidel
Dobrush
Drogichin
Gantsevichi
Rogachev
Braslav
Krupki
Slonim
Dubrovno
Svetlogorsk
Postavy
Disna
G. p. Liozno
G. p. Zelva
Zhitkovichi
Lelchitsy
G. p. October
Novolukoml
Ashmyany
Pruzhany
G. p. Karelichi
Petrikov
Myadel
Dumpling
G. p. Dribin
Senno
Krichev
Vileika
Ram
Turov
Kostyukovichi
Bykhov
Bridges
Berezovka
Cups
Klimovichi
Vasilevichi
G. p. Hotimsk.
Khoiniki
Davyd-Gorodok

However, we also have our problem areas. The specialists of the National Monitoring System told about them to the TUT.BY correspondent the environment The Republic of Belarus.

The "dirtiest" Belarusian cities

The Belstat website publishes annually data on the amount of pollutant emissions from stationary sources such as industrial and energy facilities. Based on them, our portal has compiled a kind of top-10 of the most “smoking” Belarusian cities.

The number of emissions of pollutants into the air from stationary sources by years (in thousands of tons)

		Average over 5 years
Novopolotsk

	OK. 35


Bobruisk

Soligorsk

These ten cities account for about half of all emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere from enterprises. It should be noted, however, that cars in Belarus “spoil” the air more intensively. So, in 2010, their total contribution to total air pollution was estimated at 71%, and in Minsk this figure is 84%.

But the most “puffing” enterprises are still concentrated not in the capital, but in Novopolotsk. It is one of the cities with the highest density of emissions of harmful substances. The largest oil refinery in Belarus "Naftan", one of the largest chemical factories "Polymir", a number of other enterprises actively burning and processing fuel are located here. On average, during 2006-2010. they emitted about 63.4 thousand tons of pollutants annually.

Minsk is in second place. There are over 330 natural resource users in the capital, but they account for about 38.2 thousand tons of emissions annually. However, if we take into account motor transport, then Minsk will come out on top in terms of overall air pollution. For example, in 2010, stationary sources accounted for only 30.9 thousand tons of emissions, and taking into account mobile sources, their total volume amounted to 187.8 thousand tons.

The third place was awarded to Mozyr. For this city, Belstat demonstrates not so frightening emission figures: at the level of 0.5 - 2.5 thousand tons per year. However, its main "polluter", the Mozyr oil refinery, is formally located outside the city limits. Therefore, as the head of the main information and analytical center (GIAC) of the National Environmental Monitoring System of the Republic of Belarus, Savely Kuzmin, explained when compiling various statistical compilations, his indicators are sometimes summed up together with citywide, and sometimes considered separately. Taking into account the oil refinery, Mozyr emits about 35 thousand tons of pollutants into the atmosphere annually, which is about 40% of all emissions registered in the Gomel region.

The regional centers of Gomel and Grodno share the fourth and fifth places in air pollution with a slight separation from each other (about 13.9 and 13.2 thousand tons of emissions per year). The main sources of pollution for them are motor vehicles, the woodworking industry, the production of mineral fertilizers, and heat power engineering. And for Gomel - also machine building, machine tool building, chemical and pulp and paper industries.

In addition to the above, the top ten cities that demonstrated the most high level emissions also included Bobruisk, Mogilev, Soligorsk, Zhlobin and Vitebsk.

Volumes of emissions of the main pollutants from stationary sources in 2010

What does air quality depend on?

Despite the undoubted interest, which is the data on the amount of harmful substances released into the atmosphere, they are still not enough to assess the ecological situation in our cities. Specialists of the National Environmental Monitoring System are confident that, in general, the state of the air basin above them, even over the most industrialized ones, is assessed as good. “It all depends on the concentration of the harmful substance in the air and on the length of time a person is in this polluted air,” explains Bogdana Kozeruk, head of the information and analytical department (monitoring atmospheric air) Republican Center for Radiation Control and Environmental Monitoring. - We cannot say that we live in dirty cities. But there are some problem areas ”.

In Minsk, for example, there are two such districts. One - on Timiryazev Street, the second - on Radialnaya. Over the course of several years, they have regularly observed an excess of the average daily maximum permissible concentration (MPC) for solid particles of the PM-10 fraction - suspended particles with a diameter of 2.5-10 microns hazardous to health. Occasionally, the excess of the maximum permissible concentration for formaldehyde is also recorded in the area of ul. M. Gorky in Vitebsk, st. September 17 - st. International in Brest, st. Zavalnaya in Pinsk and Pryvokzalnaya Square in Orsha. In 2011, the number of problem areas remained at the 2010 level. New ones were recorded only in the southeastern part of Mogilev (episodic problems with phenol and formaldehyde) and in Rechitsa in the area of ul. Chkalov (episodic excess of MPC for solid particles).

The zone of increased air pollution in the southeastern part of Minsk is formed under the influence of the powerful industrial potential characteristic of this region. Air flows from the tractor and automobile plants, CHP-2 and CHP-3 flock here. The general slope of the terrain to the southeast leads to the runoff of pollutants from other areas. And the prevalence of winds in the western quarter (from northwestern to southwestern) over Minsk contributes to the transfer of pollutants from the entire territory of the city. By the way, the wind regime is one of the main factors for the transfer of harmful substances, therefore the air from the windward side, that is, in the western part of the city, is the cleanest in the capital.

The seasonal factor is also important. For example, during April-August, the concentration of formaldehyde in the air is highest. This substance is formed as a result of photochemical reactions during the interaction of nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and other substances in the atmosphere. And at high temperatures during the period of a long absence of precipitation, the conditions for its formation are most favorable. And since the formation of formaldehyde directly depends on the temperature and humidity of the air, its highest concentrations are recorded during dry spring or summer. The minimum is in winter.

“Compared to countries Western Europe we have very clean air, - emphasizes the head of the GIAC of the National Environmental Monitoring System Savely Kuzmin. - There is no smog over our cities, there is no mining on the territory of the country on such a scale as, for example, in Siberia. In addition, a lot of forests have survived in Belarus. However, the percentage of greening in cities is poor. This applies to both Minsk and all regional centers. According to our greening standards, everything is in order. But it is worth going to Europe (for example, to the same Berlin or to Paris) - you will immediately feel the difference. There are much more green spaces, various parks and squares. In Berlin, at 4-5 o'clock in the morning, nightingales sing so that it feels like you are somewhere in the countryside! "

Where is the air being monitored?

Monitoring of the state of the air basin is currently being carried out in 18 industrial cities of the republic, including regional centers, as well as Polotsk, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Bobruisk, Mozyr, Rechitsa, Svetlogorsk, Pinsk, Novogrudok, Zhlobin, Lida and Soligorsk. According to the Ministry natural resources and environmental protection, 63 stationary stations have been installed and are currently operating in them, of which 14 operate in automatic mode. There are 12 stations in Minsk, in Mogilev - 6, Gomel and Vitebsk - 5 each, in Brest and Grodno - 4 each, in the rest industrial centers 1-3 stations are functioning. Most of them are collected manually. In areas with no or a limited number of stations, characterized by significant emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere from stationary sources, in years with a stable snow cover, a routine snow survey is carried out (22 points).

14 automatic stations (4 of them are located in Minsk) transmit information on the concentration of pollutants in the air in real time, and with this data on the website state institution Anyone can familiarize themselves with the "Republican Center for Radiation Control and Environmental Monitoring" at any time. It also publishes a weekly report on air quality in Minsk. In addition, the website contains the dynamics of changes in the concentration of harmful substances during the day, which is relevant for four cities: Minsk, Brest, Gomel and Grodno. These dynamics are presented in the form of graphs. And quarterly it publishes a report on the state of atmospheric air in 18 cities. Annual reports are prepared by specialists from the State Historical Information Center of the National Environmental Monitoring System of the Republic of Belarus, which can be found in the corresponding section of the website of the information and analytical center.

How do harmful substances affect health?

The state of the atmospheric air is one of the most important factors in the quality of life. The less it contains any nasty things, the easier it is to breathe and the less the risk of respiratory diseases and of cardio-vascular system... Almost 20% of all diseases of the respiratory system and 10% of diseases of the circulatory system are associated with air pollution.

Inhaled in large quantities, carbon monoxide (CO) reduces the flow of oxygen to the tissues, increases the amount of sugar in the blood, and weakens the supply of oxygen to the heart. In healthy people, this effect is manifested in a decrease in the ability to endure physical activity. In people with chronic heart disease, it can affect the functioning of the whole body.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2), even in low concentrations, creates an unpleasant taste in the mouth and irritates the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and the mucous membranes of the eyes. At the cellular level, it affects the processes of carbohydrate and protein metabolism, reduces immunity.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) plays the role of an oxidizing agent that can damage the integrity cell membranes and proteins. Its increased concentrations contribute to the development of inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract - laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, etc.

Formaldehyde (CH2O) is listed as a carcinogen. Possesses toxicity, negatively affects genetic material, reproductive organs, respiratory tract, eyes and skin. It has a strong effect on the central nervous system.

Solid particles of the PM10 fraction in air are a heterogeneous mixture of organic and inorganic substances, and therefore it is difficult to assess their impact on health. It is well established that particles with a diameter of 10 microns or less are primarily responsible for coughs, asthma attacks and an increase in respiratory deaths.

In total, more than 70 types of harmful substances soar over the cities.

Experts believe that subregional centers like Mozyr, Polotsk-Novopolotsk, Pinsk, Glubokoye can, to some extent, compete with regional centers in the future and become attractive for living.

According to the results of the rating of Belarusian cities held by the Center for New Ideas, Minsk is ahead of other Belarusian cities in a number of indicators. Nevertheless, they are rapidly catching up, and in some places and ahead of the Belarusian capital Brest and Grodno.

Economic indicators, except for Minsk, are the highest in Novopolotsk, Soligorsk, Mozyr. According to the rating, Orsha, Borisov and Bobruisk are among the demographic and economic outsiders.

Brest and Grodno have potential

As senior researcher of CASE Belarus Dmitry Babitsky noted at the Reshape-2018 conference, last years Minsk is losing its industry, which is being actively replaced by service.

“The“ agglomeration ring ”around Minsk is developing and growing. Basically, our employment growth occurs within the boundaries of this ring. Therefore, such objects as Zaslavl, Dzerzhinsk, Smolevichi are now the top places where new jobs are being created, ”he said.

The expert drew attention to the fact that there are more people employed in the Minsk region than those living, which, in turn, is also typical for Soligorsk.

“More than 100 thousand people come to Minsk every day to work from other cities, that is, every tenth worker in Minsk does not live in it,” he said.

Dmitry Babitsky also commented on the leading positions in the ranking of Belarusian cities Grodno and Brest. The expert cited Poland as an example, where cities such as Gdansk, Szczetin, Wroclaw are developing more dynamically than Warsaw.

“And even though such a tendency is not yet visible in Belarus, Brest, Grodno and a number of other cities have very great potential,” Dmitry Babitsky said.

“Why are Brest and Grodno leading in the rating? They have a big plus in that they are on the border and therefore are strongly involved in cross-border communications, they have constant access to new knowledge, "chips", and there are teams there that are trying to implement all this. And most importantly, there is human potential there. Someone opened a coffee shop, a startup followed up behind it, and this is the future of cities, ”said Ivan Shchedrenok, director of the Interakcia Foundation.

Why does Orsha have no chance?

At the same time, experts agree that with the strict vertical of power, which is typical for Belarus, it is difficult for the regions to develop.

“We have a chief fireman and chief physician sit only in the regional city. This corresponds to financial flows, both formal and not, - explained Dmitry Babitsky. - All the "fat" is concentrated where the power is, that is, in regional cities or cities like Soligorsk, Novopolotsk, where there are huge enterprises. Therefore, Orsha and Borisov have nothing to hope for, especially given the absence of universities there "...

Unfortunately, Ivan Shchedrenok admits, the main goal of the head of the district center is to provide indicators.

“His headache is how to increase milk yield and harvest more crops. And for the city to develop, you need to think about how to make it competitive, ”the expert said.

Ivan Shchedrenok admits that local authorities have no time to deal with these issues, and they are not capable of doing this.

“The whole system works like this: there is a strict vertical, and decisions that are made are made by the center, as a result, not strategists, but performers, sit on the ground. This, in my opinion, is the biggest obstacle from the point of view of city management, ”the expert is sure.

How will agglomerations develop?

In the opinion of Ivan Shchedrenok, cities like Mozyr, Polotsk-Novopolotsk, Pinsk, Gluboky are such sub-regional centers that can to some extent compete with regional cities and, to some extent, also have the future for them. This means that they have every chance of becoming attractive for living.

“I am not a supporter of the collapse of the country into one city. If the reform of the administrative-territorial division takes place in Belarus, I am sure that the stake will be placed on the forming agglomerations. The main thing is that these agglomerations become the centers of those sub-regions that are being formed in the country, ”he concluded.

In the 90s Svetlogorsk became known as the “capital” of AIDS and drug addicts. The city earned an unflattering nickname in 1996, when it turned out that more than eight hundred HIV-infected drug addicts live here. Since then, the situation has not been said to have improved: as of September 1, 2016, 4037 HIV cases were registered in the Svetlogorsk region, which is a record for Belarus. A native of the city named Lyubov does not agree with the statistics: “I saw a couple of drug addicts and syringes on the streets only in the 90s. They say that the "old" drug addicts have already died. And, fortunately, I have not met new ones. For me, Svetlogorsk is a city of youth and light. It is famous for power engineers, builders, chemists. I like to wander through its streets, embankment, central square. And I always come there with joy. "

Cover photo: VK Khoiniki group

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According to the Trudbox website, in August there were 65 job offers in Svetlogorsk, more than half of which were for a salary of up to 100 rubles. The main area is trade, sales, purchases. The industry is represented by 12 enterprises, of which two are city-forming - the pulp and cardboard mill and Khimvolokno. The first, however, is still operating at a loss (in the first quarter of 2016, "income" amounted to minus 103,060 million non-denominated rubles). But the second retained a small profit (in the first quarter of 2016, it received 171 million non-denominated rubles). Pavel, a resident of Svetlogorsk, looks at the situation optimistically: “With work - as in any city in the country: it is difficult to get a good job. I feel at home in Svetlogorsk.

Of course, there are many complaints about the entertainment sector, which is almost absent, but 5-6 years ago the situation was even worse. There are a couple of cafes, restaurants, a weak billiards table. In sports, everything is fine: exercise machines, gyms, swimming pools. By the way, there is no such thing as drinking in public places or shouting - this is quickly suppressed. "

Waste-polluted Soligorsk, which is more crowded than New York

The richest region of Belarus, according to the Ezhednevnik electronic newspaper, suffers from mining waste. The 120-meter high waste heaps have already become a local landmark: more than half a million tons of waste are poisoning the environment. The fertile soil layer is contaminated with salts and heavy metals. But for the sake of fairness, it should be noted that JSC "Belaruskali" was the first in the country to introduce an environmental monitoring system and closely monitors compliance with the standards. permissible emissions in atmosphere. Another problem of Soligorsk is the high population density: more than 100 thousand inhabitants live on an area of less than 10 square kilometers, which is more than in New York. The result is a lack of personal space and littering.

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Elena from Soligorsk honestly spoke about the pros and cons of the city: “Everyone around is sure that only rich miners live in Soligorsk. In fact, only a small percentage of residents work in Belaruskali, and even less in the mine itself. Yes, the miners get a decent salary, but believe me, they deserve it. Their work is hellishly difficult. Together with high salaries, they receive and serious problems with health. The rest of the Soligorsk residents work, as in other cities: in factories, shops, schools and medical institutions. There are enough individual entrepreneurs. By the growing number of hypermarkets, one can judge that the residents of Soligorsk have enough money. "

Soligorsk is not famous for cultural attractions. Still, it is very young and, above all, industrial city... The buildings are standard and rather monotonous, so tourists are usually taken either to the waste heaps or to the mine.

On the way, sometimes they still show a unique wooden 200-year-old church in the village of Chizhevichi, which is an architectural monument. Surprisingly, Soligorsk is ahead of Moscow and New York in terms of population density. This is due to the fact that the city has nowhere to grow: on the one hand - the reservoir, on the other - the forest, on the third - the mines.

The houses stand one on one, as the building compaction program is in full swing. It got to the point that they manage to build panels in the stadiums of schools and in the cramped courtyards of the old city.

True, in recent years a large new microdistrict, but he also ran into a wall: the arable land of a neighboring collective farm. According to the latest laws in Belarus, fields can be built up only with the consent of the president, so Soligorsk froze in anticipation of Lukashenka's approval, and continues to build panels in stadiums and courtyards. The wealth and big plus of Soligorsk is the presence of a huge forest-park zone, which is close to the city.

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It is, of course, constantly littered with lovers of drunken picnics in nature, but still beautiful and beloved by the townspeople. The folk trail to the "Rodniki", where the whole city is gaining drinking water from a natural source. In the wake of popularity among Saligorsk residents, bicycles are now. When the weather is fine, whole families go out on "rides" in the forest or on a roller ski track. By the way, the construction of a new long cycle path has recently begun.

Bobruisk as a place where you can get a knife under the rib

The statistical collection of offenses in the Republic of Belarus for 2011-2014 approved the title of criminal for the Bobruisk region: in 2014, there were 1,755 crimes per 100 thousand people and 1,068 per 100 thousand in the city itself - a kind of record for Belarus. However, the city authorities do not agree with the notoriety: in 2017, Bobruisk will become the cultural capital. The Vorstadt district enjoys particular fame in the city - quoting the locals, it is “just a gangster, there were many gangs, hooliganism lives, and generally dubious”. Once upon a time, Old Believers settled on these streets, now there are colorful personalities, whose fathers in the 60s shot from the attics at neighbors for entertainment.

One of the sights of the city is the defensive structure of the first half of the XIX century. According to Bobruisk residents, it is a wonderful place: “If you come in, there is a homeless person sleeping or a drug addict in an overdose. She's not being watched.

It becomes a shame, for many years the city's museums have been fighting for reconstruction. But they don’t give money ”. When asked if it’s scary to live in the criminal capital of Belarus, a resident named Vyacheslav answers: “I cannot speak for people, every paranoid is at his own level, but I’m not afraid to walk around the city. People, of course, lock the doors. There is another story about work: as in all cities, if you want to earn money, then it is better not to get a stable job at all, where the salary is steadily falling down. There is where to have fun (restaurants, parks), but everything quickly gets boring, the city is small. In this city, as, indeed, in this country, there is nothing to do for those who want to live well, have fun and, even more so, earn money. "

No less criminal Baranovichi as a competitor to Bobruisk

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Baranovichi, a city where there are problems with drugs, crimes against minors and theft, can compete with the criminal capital. In 2014, Baranovichi was noted on the criminal map of Belarus as a place where there were 804 registered crimes per 100 thousand inhabitants (1 231 per 100 thousand inhabitants of the Baranovichi district). A native of Baranovichi, Alexander did not hide the real state of affairs: “Once it was very sad, the district went to the district. Within the city there is a pre-trial detention center No. 6. Not far away is the "Kresty" - the area of gopniks and all kinds of cattle. When I was studying, it was relatively calm, except that at the beginning of the 2000s, a guy's nose was broken (he poked in the wrong area).

Since now many people of Caucasian nationality come to enter the local university, you don't always want to be in the center. The last big fight was a couple of years ago - someone had a conflict with a Caucasian over a girl. And so - everything is as usual, there were small areas such as "Crosses", "Chinese wall" (longest house on Telman street - approx. KYKY) and the like, but on a much smaller scale. And the good thing is: interesting churches with frescoes, new shopping centers are being built, the districts are settling in more and more. There is an ice palace, two cinemas - the modern "Zvezda" and the old "October". There are small statues in the center, the same owl in a hollow near bookstores. The aircraft repair plant has begun to return to its former attractiveness in terms of jobs in recent years. Museum railroad- he is about 10 years old, but going to see it can be interesting. For those who like to relax there are several disco clubs. An ordinary city in which the mayor has changed relatively recently and seems to be getting better. "

Bragin as the radioactive capital of Belarus

Increased levels of MD gamma radiation were registered in two Belarusian cities - Bragin and Slavgorod, but only one of them was recognized as an unofficial “radioactive capital”. Perhaps the reason is the memorial on the main square of Bragin: there is a radioactivity sign, an alley of resettled villages in the region and a monument to Vasily Ignatenko, who died during the extinguishing of the fire at the 4th power unit.

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Even during the day, the streets are empty - as of January 1, 2016, 3,750 people live in the urban-type settlement. The places are beautiful, but it is better not to go to the surrounding forests: radiation hazard signs are installed at the entrance. But watching is not forbidden. A native of Bragin, Vladislav has lived here all his life: “After leaving school, young people stay in Bragin, the locals mainly work in the field of education. The salary is average, practically not enough to live on. It is impossible to pick mushrooms-berries in the forests, but in general we are used to radiation. From entertainment, who wants, there are sports sections, but mostly, of course, bars. From culture ... Well, for small town enough: monuments to world wars, Chernobyl disaster, exhibitions in the museum ... But who of the youth needs this story? In general, there are better city, there are worse. Bragin is something in between. "

Khoiniki as a symbol of unsuccessful distribution for Belarusian students

Everyone who studied at the budgetary department of a Belarusian university still sees distribution sketches in nightmares: “If you don’t find a job before graduation, you’ll go to Khoiniki.” As of January 1, 2016, 12,797 people lived in Khoiniki, and about 40 young specialists join them every year. There are at least 14 industrial and agricultural enterprises operating in the district. There is a standard set from the cultural center, where concerts and discos are held, and a cinema. And also, perhaps, the Belkoopsoyuz cafe. Everything.

Three years ago Olga, a townswoman, was a young specialist herself: “I have heard a lot about the fact that graduates are intimidated by Khoiniki. My friend studied at the Maxim Tank University, and then one day at a lecture on the stream, the teacher, moving a little away from the topic, said, they say, you know what is the worst thing about studying here? This is distribution to Khoiniki! My friend, a girl not timid, asked the question: "Why?" The teacher was embarrassed and did not give a clear answer. Sadly, these very rumors are invented by our mentors. And the problem in Khoiniki is actually the same - these are our "colleagues" who are afraid of young ambitious, full of strength and new ideas of young specialists, do not transfer work experience, and in some cases they can even "substitute", they are afraid for their familiar place. Today people are different, cruel ... Those kind and sympathetic people are no longer ready to come to the aid of a comrade. "

David-Gorodok: the last place in the rating of the quality of life

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When the Academy of Sciences of Belarus compiled a rating of cities in terms of the quality of life (the criteria were the population growth rate, migration growth, average monthly salary, the share of the economically active population, the ecological situation and transport accessibility), then the last 134th place was taken by David-Gorodok. This locality with a number of slightly more than six thousand people is famous for the theatrical procession in honor of the pagan holiday "Koniki".

And also provincial boredom. Work here can be found in the service sector, trade, or at the electromechanical and bakery (“The factory is not very smart - there is little future,” - comment the locals). Residents are dissatisfied with salaries, and young people are not particularly late: in 2015, the natural population decline was -6 per 1000 inhabitants. On the city's portal, you can find an interesting rating, where site visitors rate life in David-Gorodok. The situation is best with landscapes (88 points), worst of all with nightlife (28.6).

According to the WHO, Belarus ranks third in the world in terms of relative mortality from diseases caused by air pollution. In our country, due to such diseases, for example, in 2012, 100 people per 100 thousand of the population died.

Experts associate deaths from stroke, lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases with air pollution. Contamination also increases the risk of acute respiratory infections.

“For almost all air pollutants, there are a number of proven long-term effects,” says Olga. - There is also a carcinogenic effect, mutagenic, an effect on the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

There are groups of people who are particularly sensitive to increased air pollution. These are people with respiratory diseases, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, the elderly and children. V scientific research it has been proven that the increased concentrations that pregnant women are exposed to affect the incidence of asthma in future children.

Not all people who breathe polluted air get sick. However, over time, the likelihood of disease accumulates.

If we are talking about a carcinogenic effect, the disease may or may not appear. But the longer you are exposed to harmful effects, the greater the excess of various substances, the greater the likelihood.

It's the same with asthma and other illnesses. For a person in good health, polluted air will hurt less. On the other hand, if some process already exists, it can accelerate and give chronic diseases of the respiratory system.

What we breathe

Usually, experts monitor the content of 6 main substances in the air: particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, phenol and ammonia. In some cities, specific substances are monitored.

All of these substances affect health in one way or another. A threshold concept has now been adopted: we believe that substances are safe up to a certain concentration and harm above a certain threshold.

Ground-level ozone and particulate matter are primarily considered when talking about human health effects.

Solid particles is, by and large, dust. The total number of particles and their mass are measured. Large and small particles with a diameter of less than 10 and less than 2.5 micrometers are taken into account separately. From different sources, particulate matter of different composition and size is released into the air. Large particulate matter in air, for example, is caused by construction works, wear of the roadway and tires. Fine particulate matter is a product of combustion of wood, coal or other fossil fuels, as well as the result of industrial processes.

Ozone(O3) is formed in the atmosphere as a result of photochemical reactions in the presence of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds... “There are not so many processes during which ozone is released into the air,” the specialist notes. - For example, it happens during photocopying. This is negligible on a national scale. However, we have problems with air pollution from this substance.

Carbon monoxide(CO, carbon monoxide) is formed as a result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels with a lack of oxygen and low temperatures. Reduces maximum physical performance, and also negatively affects people with cardiovascular diseases.

Nitrogen dioxide(NO2) is formed during combustion processes - during heating, power generation, and engine operation. Its high concentrations in the atmosphere are associated with a decrease in lung function. Also, fine particulate matter and nitrogen are formed from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

sulphur dioxide(SO2) is formed when fossil fuels (coal and oil) are burned to heat homes and cars. This substance can affect the respiratory system and lung function and cause eye irritation. On days with elevated levels of SO2, the number of hospitalizations for heart disease and death increases. When SO2 combines with water, sulphuric acid, which is the main component of acid rain.

Phenol contained in industrial emissions, exhaust gases, cigarette smoke. This substance has a general toxic effect, causes disturbances in the activity of the cardiovascular system, and irritates the skin.

The "dirtiest" and "cleanest" cities

According to Olga, the situation with air pollution in Belarus is far from catastrophic - especially in comparison with China or European countries. However, in some cities there are exceeding the norms. Gomel, Mogilev and some districts of Minsk are traditionally problematic.

How do we know this? We have a system for monitoring atmospheric air in our country - 66 stations in 19 cities. They are placed in such a way as to characterize, on average, the situation in a district or city.

The stations regularly measure air quality, their data are averaged and published regularly.

Infographics: Anton Devyatov / 42.TUT.BY

The situation in Minsk is better now than in previous years. An area where pollution is traditionally high - in the area of Radialnaya Street, Minsk Motor Plant, and a sparkling wine factory, - says Olga. - Enough good air in the observatory area, in Zeleny Meadow and most residential areas.

In 2016, one-time excess of the established maximum permissible concentration was recorded in the capital for three indicators - carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.

In Gomel, 35 days were accumulated in a year, exceeding the norm for carbon monoxide. The specialist considers the indicator to be quite understandable - there are many industrial facilities in this city.

In Mogilev, 33 days were observed exceeding the norm for the content of phenol, another 16 - for ammonia. Novopolotsk was the leader in the number of days with excess sulfur dioxide (16 days) and particulate matter (8 days). This is a consequence of the fact that oil refineries are located near the city.

Minsk is one of the most dirty cities Belarus. Photo: TUT.BY

Not a single day has been exceeded one-time standards for the main pollutants in Bobruisk, Grodno and Svetlogorsk. Exactly so - in Bobruisk, strict norms of average annual concentrations were exceeded, but the stations did not record violations of maximum one-time concentrations.

It is possible that the average annual concentration is within the normal range, but the number of days when the average daily maximum permissible concentration is exceeded is quite high. Or the average annual concentration falls, and the number of days exceeding the maximum one-time thresholds increases. This is a rather complex system, and complex processes take place in it that cannot be described by one indicator, - Olga notes.

If the norms are exceeded, it is better to reduce active loads.

By the way, you can monitor the air condition online in Minsk, regional centers, Polotsk, Novopolotsk, Zhlobin, Soligorsk and Mozyr region. The information is posted on the website of the Republican Center for Hydrometeorology, Radioactive Contamination Control and Environmental Monitoring of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Belarus.

The data is updated every hour, and for Minsk - every 20 minutes. The monitoring system provides data on individual substances in fractions of the maximum permissible concentration. If less than one - everything is fine, if more - it is worth thinking about.

PM10 is a large solid particle. 0.5 MPC means that their concentration in the air was half of the maximum permissible. This means that at midnight in the Radialnaya area it was possible to breathe deeply (at least in terms of particulate matter). Image: rad.org.by / Yandex. Cards

Depending on how polluted the air is, you can plan your day.

There is only one recommendation, and it is simple. The only thing we can do in case of excess is to reduce active loads in the fresh air, - advises Olga. - With insignificant excess, this applies only to sensitive groups of people, if the level is high - all.

I strongly advise against running outside when any of the indicators is greater than one. When we give the body a load, we breathe deeper, particles penetrate deeper, processes occur faster and the effect is more acute. Nobody says that you need to wear a gas mask, but you should try not to run.

The degree of air pollution depends on the time of day. The peak in ozone and formaldehyde content occurs during the daytime. The maximum nitrogen and carbon oxides correspond to the rush hours of land transport. It is at this time that the specialist advises avoiding active outdoor activities.

In which apartments the air is cleaner

It is worth paying attention to air quality when choosing a place of residence. For example, if there are no factory chimneys nearby, then it is better to choose the upper floors of houses.

In Minsk, the source of more than 70% of emissions is transport, if we take the amount of substances. Transport is a low ground source. Therefore, on the upper floors, the concentration of polluted air will decrease. Above the third floor is already good.

Another general rule is that windows to the courtyard are better than windows to the roadway. But even if you live on a lower floor and your windows face a busy road, pollution will not always "stagnate".

This can be understood as follows: compare the width of the gap between the houses and the height of the building. If the gap is wider than the height of the building, the air quality is likely to be acceptable. Bad - when the skyscrapers are close.

When the distance between houses is greater than their height, the polluted air is unlikely to be trapped near the ground. Image: Yandex. Panoramas

But on such narrow streets, the air on the lower floors can be dirty. Image: Yandex. Panoramas

"These are mostly not our emissions."

Polluted air is not always a bad smell. Some hazardous substances cannot be detected without special equipment.

Formaldehyde can be detected by smell - it has a specific formalin odor. You can smell sulfur. The rest of the substances in the concentrations in which they are contained in the air do not smell very strong - at least inorganic, says Olga.

Air pollution is influenced by many factors: emissions from industrial plants, city planning, how emissions are distributed in the air and how substances interact with each other, atmospheric circulation.

What we throw away does not always settle with us. Therefore, if we look at what we have precipitated, it is for the most part not our emissions. Mostly we drop out substances from neighboring countries - from Poland, Russia and Ukraine. But the list of those countries that, in principle, influence us is very long - this is practically all the countries of Europe. We influence other countries in the same way. The air has no boundaries.