Street dust may weaken air quality in Helsinki noticeably

Traffic wardens are campaigning this week against drivers who leave the car idling while stationary

print this

The dry and largely windless frosty weather has weakened the air quality in Helsinki’s streets in the course of the winter. Moreover, nothing better is to be expected. The situation is likely to become even worse over the spring when dust particles start flying around and the wind brings emissions from other countries.
      This week all motorists in Helsinki will be reminded of their own responsibility in respect of air quality. All traffic wardens in the city are to monitor the idling of cars intensively, as exhaust emissions weaken the air quality substantially. In Finland, vehicle idling when parked or stationary is illegal.
     
Idling a car is punishable by a fine, but frequently just a reminder is seen as necessary.
      In February, the air quality at the Töölöntulli monitoring site was only "fair" for as long as 343 hours, which is longer than has ever been detected at any of the monitoring sites of the Helsinki Metropolitan Aarea Council (YTV).
     
From December to February, the air quality at the Mannerheimintie 55 monitoring site was impaired mostly by car exhaust emissions. Because of high buildings, the air quality in the streets remains just "fair" even outside rush hours in the winter. On the other hand, it seldom slips down to "poor".
     
In general, the amount of exhaust emissions and street dust was quite low in the air of the Greater Helsinki area over the winter months. In December and January the air quality was mainly "good" even in busy districts. However, February showed already signs of spring, and the air quality degraded to "fair" over long periods.
     
The City of Helsinki is searching for ways to reduce air pollutants, as last year was the first time when the nitrogen dioxide limits set by the European Union were frequently exceeded in Helsinki’s Hämeentie and Mannerheimintie.
      The deadline for the reducing of nitrogen dioxide is January 1st 2010. The city will be forced to find ways to restrict traffic in busy streets if nothing else helps to reduce airborne pollutants.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Helsinki considers restrictions on car traffic because of increased air pollutants (27.1.2006)
  Poor air quality caused by cold weather, street dust, and exhaust fumes troubles Helsinki residents (17.3.2005)

Links:
  Finnish Meteorological Institute
  The Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council (YTV): Air Quality Index

Helsingin Sanomat