Mobile stations show that the air in Elin Pelin after the explosions is not polluted and there is no increase in fine dust particles. Locals, however, claimed that a suffocating smell of burnt tires could be felt in the area. Can we trust the measuring stations reporting the air pollution data in the area?
The topic before NOVA was developed by the former Minister of Environment and Water, Julian Popov.
"Yes, I was looking at the station data. It is modern, very good and mobile. She was sent at night by the Minister of Environment and Water to the site and measured the whole time. Values are actually falling," he emphasized.
And he added that "the wind can help clear the air". "It helps spread it, but obviously this explosion is not something that can cause long-term air pollution. Apart from particulate matter, the other elements monitored showed no increase. This means that there are no poisonous elements in the air, so even if at some point the wind blows a slightly higher level of fine dust particles, it should not be a cause for concern,'' he insists.
Popov also commented on the question of how the state reacts when dealing with crises."I would say that this question has two clear answers. The state is doing well and the state is doing badly. Both are equally true. The state is doing well when the crisis hits. Here, the moment the crisis occurred, immediately the teams were there, the Minister of the Environment, I think he was the first one there. Then the others come. In all fires, we see very, very quick action by the government. Is the preventive activity at the required level? I don't think so. This is also evident from the number of fires that are generally expected. In summer there are high temperatures, they become more and more extreme, more and more long-lasting. So the state must be ready for these fires. It's the same with floods," he explained.