AMBIENT AIR QUALITY PERSPECTIVES IN GEORGIA

Abstract

Objectives Since the beginning of 1990s Georgia has been facing a severe economic recession. A lot of industrial enterprises and factories have ceased operation. It presents an interest to assess ambient air quality. Methods Air samples were collected in the main industrial city of the country -Tbilisi. Air monitoring was conducted three times a day (7,13 and 19 o'clock) during 20 minutes. A total of 8 air pollutants were measured, some of them not regularly: dust, SO2 (rarely), C0, NO2, NO (rarely), Phenol, Formaldehyde, Soluble Sulfate (rarely). Daily maximum and daily average concentrations were calculated from 10 measurements and compared with the permitted maximum concentration and permitted concentration. The results were compared with the air quality indicators for 1984 using statistical comparison method. Results The results of the air quality observation at the stationary sample points showed that air in the city is polluted with dust matters of different origin. Following dust, SO2 and NO2 are the main pollutants in the main highways and crossroads as well as in the city streets. The main indicators of air pollution have increased significantly since the early 1980s. Namely, dust from 300 in 1984 increased to 500 mg/m3 (in 1998), SO2 - from 6 to 190 mg/m3, NO2 from 40 to-70 mg/m3 respectively. Since the main industrial enterprises and factories are not operational, the main sources of air pollution in the city are traffic and heating. There is a prolonged ‘rush hour’, which lasts from 10.00 o'clock a.m. until 8.00 p.m. Poor quality of gasoline also contributes to air pollution since soil pollution with lead in Tbilisi is within 33.0–65.4 mg/kg. Consequently, air pollution is significant in the streets than in the nearby areas of enterprises. Due to the severe economic situation in the country, the vast majority of the city population is in the streets working as street venders. Approximately 1300 000 people are exposed to everyday air pollution. It is impossible to assess the impact of long-term exposure to urban air pollution. Due to the severe economic situation in the country, admission to hospitals and outpatient departments has sharply declined although mortality from CVD and neoplasm has increased. Conclusion 1. Traffic and heating are the main sources of air pollution in developing countries during economic recession; 2. Poor quality of combustive materials and gasoline impact air quality; 3. Increased mortality from CVD and neoplasm can be attributed to long-term exposure of the population to urban air pollutants.