Updating the Air Quality System: New Measures

A large-scale upgrade of the National Air Quality System is forthcoming. The planned changes will be implemented through two key projects - funded by the "Environment" program (2021 - 2027) and within the framework of the Bulgarian-Swiss Cooperation Program. The goal of these endeavors is multifaceted: modernization of existing stations, replacement of equipment and, which is of particular importance, improving access to information for citizens, including through the development of a mobile application. This was announced to the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA) by representatives of the Executive Environment Agency (EEA).

In the coming months, a detailed analysis will be carried out, which will serve as a basis for determining the specific steps for the upcoming changes. Experts will continue to carefully monitor the operation of the system and the reporting of data on pollutants while this process is underway.

The National Air Quality System has 48 stations, explained Todorka Petkova, chief expert in the "Air, Noise and Radiological Monitoring" department at the EEA. She provided a visual demonstration of the operation of the automatic measuring station "Pavlovo". These stations measure the main indicators, including fine particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, and heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, nickel, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, the expert specified.

Petkova pointed out that levels of fine particulate matter usually show an increase during the heating season. She explained that the values are averaged over a 24-hour period to determine the average daily concentration. This concentration is then compared to the average daily standards to determine if there is an exceedance. Petkova emphasized that the standard is 50 micrograms, measured over 24 hours, from 00:00 to 24:00.

To the question of what is the most dangerous pollutant for people's health in the air, Petkova replied that health experts are competent to answer this question. However, she emphasized that certain standards need to be followed.

Citizens can get acquainted with the air quality information system, accessible on the EEA website. The information is provided in real-time and shared with the European Environment Agency.

Radoslava Shoevska, Director General of the "Laboratory and Analytical Activity" Directorate, commented that the equipment, operating in continuous mode, requires extremely strict control of technical parameters, constant maintenance and periodic updates. Therefore, work is actively being done on its upgrade. She noted that a project is being implemented under the "Environment" program (2021–2027), aimed at improving the quality of monitoring at the national level. The project has a duration of 30 months and includes the updating of some of the technical means used for the so-called indicative measurements.

Changes are also planned for mobile automatic stations, which allow measurements in local places where air quality problems have been identified, Shoevska announced. They are planned to measure both "routine" pollutants and some specific substances. Shoevska added that the idea has been discussed in advance with the regional environmental inspectorates to provide information on the enterprises in their territories and potentially released pollutants. The focus will also be on providing technical possibilities for new equipment, including for measuring hydrocarbons and mercury in emissions, in order to control enterprises that, for example, burn waste, she added.

The EEA noted that improvements are also planned in terms of network and information security for reliable and protected data.

Emil Rangelov, project manager under the Bulgarian-Swiss program, said that it will upgrade the air quality measurement system, making it more modern, more accessible and understandable for citizens. The project will start with a detailed analysis of the state of the existing infrastructure, he specified.

Shoevska added that currently, accessing the data requires several steps through the EEA website. The goal is for the information to be immediately accessible on every citizen's phone via a mobile application. Rangelov emphasized that the data is reliable at the moment, but the goal is to improve the speed and convenience of access.

Within the framework of the project, the application is planned to send real-time notifications about the state of the air and to provide constant information. The EEA explained that the national system covers the whole country, and the positioning of the stations is in accordance with European requirements.