Night shelling of Kyiv: why smog does not mean high air pollution.

According to ТСН: In Kyiv, after the night shelling on Saturday, fires broke out, and in the morning the city was covered with smog. However, the level of air pollution remained low.

The press service of the Department of Environmental Protection and Adaptation to Climate Change of the Kyiv City State Administration noted:

“A noticeable smell of burning can occur even when monitoring stations show that the level of air pollution by key indicators (particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, etc.) remains low.”

The smell of smoke may be perceptible near impact sites or where the wind carries it. This can lift harmful substances from the ground or disperse them. Therefore, monitoring stations sometimes record lower pollution intensity than what a person feels.

Recommendations from specialists

When there is a smell of smoke in the area, specialists recommend:

• close windows;

• limit time spent outdoors;

• drink more water.

According to the Kyiv City State Administration, at the stationary air quality monitoring point on Kytayivska Street, 22, the overall air quality index is 25, indicating very low pollution levels.

It is noteworthy that as a result of the attack in Kyiv, there were hits in residential high-rise buildings and a dormitory, causing fires in premises and vehicles. In particular, in the Darnytskyi district, debris hit a 24-story building, in the Dniprovskyi district there was a fire in an 18-story building, and a dormitory of one of the universities was shelled in Solomyanskyi.

Such shelling highlights serious challenges to the safety of Kyiv residents. Authorities continue to monitor air quality and ensure safety during hostilities. Residents are advised to adhere to safety measures and follow official announcements.