Air quality in Helsinki weakens again due to street dust

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Once again dust rising from the streets of the capital area is causing a nusisance, especially to people with respiratory problems.
      According to measurements by the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council (YTV), the air quality nearly everywhere in the capital area declined to "passable" already last weekend. On Monday the situation got worse, and at times the Mannerheimintie and Leppävaara monitoring sites registered "poor" air quality readings.
      In Mannerheimintie the amount of airborne particles on Monday between 14:00 and 15:00 was 170 micrograms per cubic metre.
      The City of Helsinki Environmental Centre requested on Monday that the Public Works Department moisten the capital's streets to bind the dust that is now being kicked up after the winter snow disappears. The sprinkling can be commenced immediately as there is no fear that the street surfaces would freeze in the coming days. The weather forecast predicts continued warm weather.
     
"It only takes about an hour for the Public Works Department to start spraying the streets, once we have issued a request. All major roads can be sprayed in 24 hours", explains environmental inspector Jari Viinanen from the City of Helsinki Environmental Centre.
      The street will be sprayed with calcium chloride dissolved in water. The solution's ability to bind dust can last for up to two weeks.
      "As the sun warms the street surface it may dry and release some dust into the air. Overnight, however, the surface will moisten again, preventing the dust from becoming airborne during the morning rush hour", Viinanen explains.
      Already in the past two springs the Environment Centre has asked for sprinkling assistance from the Public Works Department.
     
The City of Helsinki has also begun to clear the streets of the sand used to prevent slipperiness in the winter. This work will continue well into April.
      Allergy advisor Jonna Suominen from the Allergy and Asthma Federation reports that not too many people contacted the Federation on Monday with questions about street dust.
      "Asthma sufferers may increase their medication according to doctor's instructions. Dust can be rinsed from the nasal mucus membranes and the nose can be kept moist with oil drops."
      "The dustiest streets should be avoided, and in severe cases a breathing mask with an exhale vent can be used", Suominen advises.
      According to YTV, the European Union limit level of 50 micrograms per cubic metre for airborne fine particles has been exceeded 12 times this year in Helsinki. The limit should not be breached more than 35 times per year.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Sunny spring weather predicted for weekend and beginning of next week (23.3.2007)
  Street dust may weaken air quality in Helsinki noticeably (14.3.2006)

Links:
  Air Quality Index
  Air Quality in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area (YTV)

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