The environmental situation in Russia causes concern among experts and residents of the country. Official data shows that 60% of the population lives in areas where quality environment rated as unsatisfactory. These lands account for 15% of the country’s territory, while, according to experts, at the end of the 1990s, about 40% of Russian lands were experiencing environmental problems.
If we compare environmental situation Russia and other countries, the situation, unfortunately, cannot be called comforting. In the international ranking of countries in terms of environmental efficiency in 2018, Russia ranks 52nd, following Poland and Venezuela. Due to the vast territory of the state, it is quite difficult to unambiguously assess the state of the environment. Every year, experts compile reports based on various indicators that determine the cleanest and dirtiest cities in Russia.
Rating of the dirtiest and cleanest cities in Russia
The best environmental situation has developed in regions where there are no large industrial enterprises or large cities. In 2018, the Tambov region, the Altai Republic, and the Altai Territory were recognized as the cleanest territories. If we talk about medium and large cities, the situation is completely different. Not a single settlement in the Tambov region was included in the top ten cleanest Altai Territory, and from the Altai Republic only Gorno-Altaisk was included.
TOP 10 cleanest cities in Russia
- Naberezhnye Chelny
- Kazan
- Sevastopol
- Grozny
- Derbent
- Vladikavkaz
- Magas
- Gorno-Altaisk
- Yoshkar-Ola
- Voronezh
A bad environmental situation is caused by factors such as deforestation, waste disposal, water and soil pollution, radioactive pollution, electricity production, and air pollution. Therefore, settlements with large industrial enterprises have been added to the list of the dirtiest. The situation is no less frightening in large formations, suffocating from the discharge of household waste and gas pollution. Also, the ratings compiled by experts take into account actions aimed at improving the environmental situation and the use of resource-saving technologies.
TOP 10 dirtiest cities in Russia
- Norilsk
- Krasnoyarsk
- Chelyabinsk
- Magnitogorsk
- Moscow
- Bratsk
- Ryazan
- Makhachkala
- Dzerzhinsk
Naberezhnye Chelny is the leader of the rating
According to studies conducted by the Ministry of Nature and the All-Russia People's Front, the city of Naberezhnye Chelny in 2017 turned out to be the cleanest in Russia. There is a better situation here with regard to the state of water resources, issues of energy consumption and actions aimed at protecting the environment.
The advantage of the city is the natural factors that ensure continuous air circulation, which guarantees regular renewal. Minimal clogging of water bodies has been recorded, and the abundance of parks provides a sufficient amount of oxygen even in a metropolis.
This year, Naberezhnye Chelny took fifth place in the sample of cleanest cities according to local residents. But Makhachkala is recognized as the dirtiest in it, scoring 4.1 points out of 10 possible, ending up in 100th position.
Kazan is a clean metropolis
Kazan is the only city with a million population included in the top ten cleanest cities in the country. There are more than one and a half thousand enterprises that produce atmospheric emissions, there is heavy traffic, so there is no need to talk about an ideal situation. The authorities of Kazan are doing everything possible to minimize the adverse consequences of the life of a large city.
This is the only Russian million-plus city that completely recycles industrial waste. Noteworthy is the water purification system, which meets European standards and eliminates the use of chlorine. To combat gas pollution, the city’s public transport has been transferred to European standards of categories 3 and 4.
Sevastopol is the best resort
In 2017, Sevastopol took first position in terms of environmental conditions among entities with a population of 250,000-1,000,000. With a population of 414,000 people, emissions amount to 10,400 tons annually, 42% coming from production.
Among other resorts in the selection of the best is Sochi, which ranks third with an indicator of 21,000 tons per 400,000 inhabitants. Among cities with a population of 100,000-250,000 positive side The resorts of the Stavropol Territory were noted: Essentuki, Kislovodsk.
In settlements with average numbers of inhabitants, decent indicators Mineral Waters and Gorno-Altaisk, which also have resort status. Sarapul, located in Udmurtia, is recognized as the most environmentally friendly city with a population of 50,000-100,000: the volume of waste is 4,700 tons. Among the favorable factors, analysts noted the cleanliness of the Kama River, the presence of coniferous trees nearby, the abundance of parks, the absence industrial production. Exhaust gases from transport and the lack of a modern landfill make a negative contribution to the environment.
Grozny - liked by citizens and experts
In 2017, Grozny took first place in the rating of clean settlements in the country according to citizens. Interestingly, in 2016 the capital of Chechnya occupied second place on the list, and in 2018 it dropped to seventh. Describing the reasons for their choice, local residents spoke about the inherent beauty and cleanliness of the capital.
In 2017, Grozny ranked fourth in the list of large cities with a population of up to a million people in terms of the scale of harm to the atmosphere. With a population of 200,000 people, the amount of emissions is 20 tons annually. Stationary and vehicle waste are approximately equal: 49.7% to 51.3%.
Norilsk - ecology at zero
According to a number of indicators, Norilsk is considered the city with the most unfavorable environmental situation. Factories fill the atmosphere with tons of harmful substances. Among them are lead, xylene, carbon disulfide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. According to experts, the waste is so large that each resident accounts for about 8 tons of harmful impurities.
Every year the biosphere receives at least 2 million tons of solid components. Unlike megacities, where a fair share of pollution comes from transport gases, in Norilsk 99.5% comes from production. The decisive “contribution” to the deterioration of the situation was made by Norilsk Nickel, which was a city-forming enterprise. In 2016, the plant ceased operations due to harm to nature, but the consequences of the work cannot be eliminated yet long years. Closing the plant, according to experts, will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 15%.
In 2016, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Russian Federation Sergei Donskoy noted that Norilsk was among the ten worst cities in terms of absolute indicators of air pollution. The minister also mentioned other settlements in this selection: Moscow, Dzerzhinsk, Krasnoyarsk, Chelyabinsk and Magnitogorsk. According to researchers from the Blacksmith Institute, Norilsk is the dirtiest city not only in Russia, but also in the world as a whole. It is also one of the ten most polluted cities on the planet, according to the Greenpeace association. Even in clear weather, the panorama of the northern region is covered with a turbid gray haze: the clear horizon is obscured by a veil of waste and factory chimneys.
Krasnoyarsk - negative progress
In 2017, Krasnoyarsk entered the top five settlements with the highest rates of air pollution, along with Birobidzhan, Bratsk, and Blagoveshchensk. Experts are concerned not so much about the state of the air as about the rate at which the indicators are deteriorating. Comparing 2014 and 2017, the pollution indicator increased 3 times: 2.7% of samples taken had excess permissible level.
In terms of annual emissions, Krasnoyarsk ranks 11th: 233,000 tons, of which 62.6% comes from manufacturing companies. The deterioration of the situation caused an increase in the number of cancer patients and asthmatics, an acceleration of chronic diseases.
Chelyabinsk and Magnitogorsk - suffocating in smog
In 2017, the Chelyabinsk region for the second time became the worst region of the state in terms of environmental indicators. Magnitogorsk and Chelyabinsk in 2017 and 2018 bore the title of the most disadvantaged settlements on this basis. The main problem of the region is the deterioration of the atmosphere.
It is associated with a high amount production organizations, the unresolved problem of waste disposal, transport gas pollution. The latter account for a significant portion: about 37%-38% of the total volume. Power plants account for 20% of emissions, and the Chelyabinsk Electrode Plant “makes a contribution.” The situation is complicated by the peculiarities of the climate: in the summer there is poor air circulation, which is why the populated area is shrouded in smog.
The figures for Magnitogorsk are even worse: 255,000 tons of air pollution annually. Toxic substances include nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, and benzopyrene. The main source of pollution is the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, which has the status of a city-forming organization.
Moscow - destructive traffic
According to Rosstat in 2017, Moscow ranks second after Norilsk in terms of pollution levels. The annual volume of harmful emissions is two times less, but the figure is still impressive: just over a million tons.
Unlike its northern counterpart, in the capital, 94% of the total amount of waste comes from car exhaust. The cultural capital is in third place in the anti-rating, although its figure is half that of Moscow and four times less than that of Norilsk: 530,000 tons, of which 85% are transport products.
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Progress gives the world innovative technologies. Opportunities and objects constantly appear that make life more convenient and dynamic. But there is a reverse negative side― the most polluted cities in the world. Increasing the extraction of raw materials, increasing the scale of production and reducing its cost is detrimental to the environment. The ratings presented in this article will tell you where on earth it is dangerous to live.
Pollution assessment criteria
WHO and UNESCO are engaged in statistics of unfavorable ecology on the planet.
For this, the following criteria are used:
- the percentage of hazardous substances in the air, as well as in water and soil, among the most dangerous to health, such as mercury, arsenic, lead, hydrocyanic acid, mustard gas and phosgene;
- the duration of the decay period of toxic substances;
- number of population and births;
- proximity of the city to the source of pollution;
- level of radioactive contamination;
- the impact of industrial emissions on children's development.
Based on these factors, a rating of the most polluted places on the planet has been compiled. The study of populated areas was carried out for each category. And then the total indicators were determined using a scale specially developed for this statistics.
Top 10 most polluted places on the planet
According to statistics from the US analytical company MercerHuman, the list of the 10 most polluted cities in the world looks like this:
- Linfen - in China.
- Tian Yin - in China.
- Sukinda - in India.
- Vapi - in India.
- La Oroya is in Peru.
- Dzerzhinsk - in Russia.
- Norilsk - in Russia.
- Chernobyl - in Ukraine.
- Sumgayit - in Azerbaijan.
- Kabwe is in Zambia.
Settlements with high level environmental hazard:
- Bayos de Haina - in the Dominican Republic;
- Mailu Suu - in Kyrgyzstan;
- Ranipet - in India;
- Rudnaya Pristan - in Russia;
- Dalnegorsk - in Russia;
- Volgograd - in Russia;
- Magnitogorsk - in Russia;
- Karachay is in Russia.
The most environmentally polluted city on the planet is Linfen
Population: 200,000 people. Leads the world in all criteria of environmental pollution. This is the center of the coal mining industry, where in addition to state mines, private and illegal mines operate.
Safety standards are ignored, resulting in the air in and around the city becoming oversaturated with coal dust, organic chemicals, lead and carbon. The result of exposure to these substances is the progression of bronchopulmonary diseases - pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, malignant tumors.
Other polluted cities in the world
It will be interesting to get acquainted with the settlements that have been awarded the title of the most polluted places on the planet.
Tianying
It is called the heart of China's metallurgy. There are many large industrial enterprises located in the city that emit dust, gas and heavy metal oxides into the atmosphere. Large-scale lead mining operations are taking place in the surrounding area. Due to thick bluish smoke, there is no visibility at a distance of 10 meters. The soil, air and water are saturated with lead fumes. Vegetables and signs grown in nearby areas contain 20 times the lead limit. This critical situation leads to the development of brain pathologies. A large number of children are born with symptoms of dementia in the region.
Near Sukinda there are chromium mines. This metal, widely used in production, is recognized as one of the most dangerous carcinogens. It has an extremely adverse effect on local residents, provoking gene mutations and rapidly progressing cancer.
The Government of India is not taking any action effective measures to reduce the concentration of chromium in water and soil. Treatment plants in this region are under development.
Vapi
A heavily polluted city in India is Vapi, which has a population of 71,000 people. Its proximity to a large industrial zone makes it life-threatening. In the surrounding area there are many factories and plants for chemical and metallurgical purposes, emitting tons of harmful substances into the atmosphere. The main one is mercury, the content of which in the soil exceeded the figure by 100 times. The current situation has become deadly for the residents of the region.
The average life expectancy here is only 35-40 years.
La Oroya
A polymetallic plant has been operating in the Peruvian town of La Oroya since 1922. Its periodic emissions contain high concentrations of lead, sulfur dioxide, copper and zinc. This caused severe illness among local residents, who number 35,000.
Acid rain caused the entire area to become dry and lifeless, devoid of vegetation. In 2009, the Peruvian government proposed a plan for radical reconstruction of enterprises with a suspension of production for five years.
Russian Dzerzhinsk with a population of 300 thousand was included in the Guinness Book of Records in 2003. Received the title of the dirtiest city in the world. The critical situation was caused by the burial of chemicals, which lasted from 1938 to 1998. The total volume of deadly substances amounted to 300,000 tons, that is, one ton for each resident.
Soil and groundwater contain critical levels of phenol, exceeding the upper norm by 17 million times. At the moment, cleanup work in Dzerzhinsk is at the planning stage.
Norilsk
The population of this Russian city is 180 people. It is closed to foreigners. One of the largest metallurgical plants on the planet has been operating in Norilsk for several decades. Every year, up to 4 million tons of chemicals are released into the environment, including lead, arsenic, copper, selenium and zinc. Because of this, there is almost no vegetation and insects here.
Cleanup work has been carried out in Norilsk for 10 years. The environmental situation is gradually improving, however, the safe concentration level chemical substances still exceeds the norm.
In the Ukrainian city of Chernobyl, on April 26, 1986, the world's worst nuclear tragedy occurred - the explosion of a nuclear power plant. All residents were evacuated. Territory over 150,000 sq. m. was under the influence of a radioactive cloud consisting of the evaporation of heavy metals, uranium, pluton, iodine and strontium.
The radiation level in the exclusion zone carries a mortal danger. This area is empty to this day.
Sumgayit
Under the Soviet Union, Azerbaijani Sumgayit occupied a central place in the sphere chemical industry. Due to constant emissions of mercury and petroleum products, the city with a population of 285 thousand has become practically uninhabitable.
Kabwe
Near the Zambian city of Kabwe, large deposits of lead were discovered more than a century ago. Since then, active mining of this mineral has been carried out. The local population is 250,000 people. From the territories of lead mines, hazardous waste is constantly spreading into the air, soil and groundwater. This causes pathologies internal organs, muscle atrophy and severe blood poisoning.
Bayos de Haina
This is a small town in Dominican Republic with a population of 85,000 people. A factory specializing in the production of car batteries poses a danger to health and life here. Lead emissions into the atmosphere exceed standard levels by four times. The consequence of this is congenital mutations and mental disorders.
Mailu-Suu
In the city of Mailu-Suu, located in Kyrgyzstan, during 1948-1968. uranium was mined. These days, radiation levels are 10 times higher than standard levels. The reason for the critical situation in the city and its surroundings is the burial sites with hazardous substances. Contrary to the warnings of scientists, they were built in zones of increased seismological danger. Due to earthquakes and landslides, burial sites are destroyed. The United States of America is involved in solving this problem. Work is underway.
The polluted cities discussed in the article pose an environmental threat to the entire planet. Toxic components are distributed due to air cyclones, soil migration and the natural water cycle. The problem requires an urgent solution at the global level.
Technical progress and technology development not only have positive consequences for the entire population, but can also cause harm to the environment, which has been observed in the last few years.
Environmental problems are of concern to an increasing number of scientists and ordinary city residents, as they are increasingly experiencing the consequences of construction and work of various kinds. industrial enterprises, transport highways, etc.
Russia is no exception to this list, since there are also both small areas and entire cities that are under the close attention of environmental scientists.
Life in them is very difficult from an environmental point of view, since they are among the top dirtiest cities in Russia. Let's figure out which cities are on the list of the most environmentally polluted cities.
First place – Norilsk
Norilsk is a small city with a population of about 170 thousand people, however, this does not prevent it from leading the top of the most polluted cities in the country. Due to the large number of enterprises located in the city and the huge production emissions from them, about 2 tons of toxic substances. These are huge numbers.
Due to its mountainous environment, emissions practically do not dissipate over the city, which means that toxic substances remain in the atmosphere for a long time. The city residents suffer from this. Many of them develop breathing problems and other illnesses.
Life expectancy in the city falls sharply every year and some areas around the city are almost completely devoid of vegetation and animal life.
Second place – Dzerzhinsk
A small city located in the Nizhny Novgorod region is the center of the chemical industry of the entire region.
Over the past century, a huge amount of various chemical substances, including hydrocyanic acid, pesticides, and cyanites, have been dumped on the city’s territory. All substances are still found in soil and water bodies. Local residents “boast” about their main attraction – colored reservoirs, which contain huge amounts of deadly chemicals.
Third place - Magnitogorsk
City with population over 400 thousand people known for its large metallurgical plant, which actively functioned during the existence of the USSR and is the main source of the release of toxic substances both into the atmosphere and into wastewater.
After the breakup Soviet Union they tried to control the activities of the enterprise, as well as monitor emissions into the environment, however, environmental scientists are still talking about the problem of pollution of this city So what amount of permissible substances in the atmosphere often exceeds established standards.
Fourth place – Cherepovets
The small city with a population of 320 thousand people is famous for its iron and steel processing enterprises, as well as chemical plants. Counts one of the most polluted cities, in terms of the amount of toxic substances emitted, it ranks second after Norilsk.
Fifth place - Asbestos
Small town with a population less than 70 thousand people located near the city of Yekaterinburg. Asbestos is mined and processed here.
In mining and processing areas, the concentration of asbestos dust is very high and exceeds the norm several times. Emissions of these vapors lead to the development of cancer.
Sixth place – Lipetsk
A large Russian city with a population of over 500 thousand people. The main problem of the city is the metallurgical plant, emitting tons of toxic dust into the atmosphere. However, the city is taking a lot of environmental measures to improve the environment.
Results of work environmental groups show that in the near future the city will leave the list of the dirtiest cities in Russia.
Seventh place – Omsk
The city of Omsk is one of the largest cities in Russia with a population 1.2 million people. Famous city big amount oil refineries, which are the main sources of pollution.
There is an active fight against emissions from enterprises by updating equipment. However, the problem of soil pollution and nearby water bodies is still relevant.
Eighth place – Angarsk
Angarsk is famous for its oil refineries, as well as enterprises that work with radioactive substances such as uranium. At the moment they are abandoned however, radioactive substances are still being emitted from storage facilities and former workshops.
Ninth place – Novokuznetsk
Largest city by population 1.3 million people known for its coal processing enterprises. There are about 40 of them in the city, so the impact on the atmosphere, soil and water bodies here is colossal.
Tenth place – Moscow
The capital of Russia rightfully occupies last place on the list because factories and large enterprises are not located there, however, emissions of chemicals into the atmosphere are still large. This is due to the huge number of cars, the number of which is only growing in Moscow.
As an alternative, the capital offers use of electric vehicles, and also instills popularity in bicycles, electric scooters and other environmentally friendly modes of transport.
The active work of industrial enterprises, factories and vehicles negatively affects the state of the environment. It doesn’t matter whether we are talking about a metropolis or a provincial town - the issue of environmental pollution is relevant in any locality countries. The air condition in most Russian cities does not meet environmental standards. Not long ago, the Ministry of Nature Protection once again published materials about the dirtiest cities in Russia in 2018.
Causes and consequences of environmental pollution in Russia
The environmental situation in Russia is quite complex - each administrative-territorial unit of the country has specific problems related to environmental management. In general, there are 15 heavily polluted cities in Russia that have not passed the requirements of environmental standards. Environmentalists consider these territories unfavorable for life due to abundant emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere.
The most common causes of environmental pollution include the following phenomena:
- energy;
- ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy;
- processing of fuel raw materials;
- petrochemical industry;
- extraction of gas, peat and coal.
Each of these processes is fully realized on industrial enterprises countries - numerous plants, factories and metallurgical plants are actively engaged in the extraction and processing of energy. The functioning of industrial organizations is accompanied by the release of hazardous substances into the atmosphere. Many factories illegally dump industrial waste into city water bodies, and untreated flowing waste is mixed with ordinary water entering the water supply.
The work of factories is dangerous because it pollutes all types of natural resources without exception. As a result of the activities of such enterprises, not only the composition of atmospheric air suffers, but also water, soil and natural objects. About 16 million Russians breathe polluted air every day, and such deterioration of the natural situation in the regions of the country negatively affects the health of citizens.
One more important factor The activities of public and private vehicles are considered to be responsible for environmental pollution. More than 40% of destructive substances in the atmospheric air are formed due to the activities of automotive products.
Leading cities for air pollution in Russia
The top dirtiest cities in Russia include Norilsk, Moscow and St. Petersburg. Each of these cities has its own specifics that affect the state of the environment. Norilsk is the undisputed leader in violating all environmental standards. Polluted air and soil poisoned by chemicals make up the clinical picture of Norilsk.
The continuous operation of the Norilsk Nickel plant mercilessly aggravates the situation in this important industrial center of Russia. Biological tests carried out in the city record disappointing results - in water, snow deposits and precipitation there is an increased content of sulfates. This situation significantly reduces the average life expectancy in this region.
It is not surprising that the administrative capital of the country ranks second in the top dirtiest cities. Operation of large industrial entities negatively affects the environmental situation in the city. Moscow is oversaturated with highways within which motor transport activities are carried out.
An overabundance of cars on Moscow highways creates a toxic cloud - clots of polluted air that city residents breathe. Pollutants released into atmospheric air Moscow, contain a dangerous compound nitrogen dioxide (80%), aggravating the environmental situation.
Capital of Culture Russian Federation also employs a large part of the population to work in shipbuilding and metal processing enterprises. In this regard, about 60% of St. Petersburg residents breathe polluted air every day and are potentially infected. Car exhaust in St. Petersburg sends more than 500,000 toxic substances into the air.
Other polluted cities in the Russian Federation
Some cities in the northern regions of the country are officially recognized as an environmental disaster zone. Despite the presence of catastrophic problems, citizens continue to live in polluted places, and the government and owners of industrial enterprises make no attempts to correct the environmental situation.
The list of the most polluted cities in the country also includes the following settlements:
- Magnitogorsk;
- Dzerzhinsk;
- Ore pier;
- Bratsk;
- Cherepovets;
- Lipetsk;
- Omsk;
- Angarsk;
- Chelyabinsk;
- Ekaterinburg;
- Novokuznetsk.
Magnitogorsk is deservedly considered the most polluted city in the Urals. The activities of OJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works are responsible for the release of toxic substances into the atmosphere in this locality. Powerful manufacturing enterprise aggravates ecological state cities, constantly releasing dangerous compounds into the air - carbon disulfide and phenol.
The city of Dzerzhinsk is experiencing the consequences of the operation of a terminal engaged in the production of chemical weapons. After the liquidation of the enterprise, all equipment was disposed of, but Natural resources This territory will continue to recover from the stress for a long time. The average life expectancy of citizens in Dzerzhinsk does not exceed 47 years for men and women.
The snow-covered areas of Rudnaya Pristan, an ordinary village in the Primorsky Territory, also contain many toxic substances. Hazardous elements sulfur, lead and cadmium are released into the atmosphere as a result of the operation of local enterprises. Due to the remoteness of the city from the administrative center of the region, people do not have the opportunity to replenish their supplies of water, fruits and vegetables, and growing their own crops in this area is impossible due to the contaminated soil.
Video: Environmental problems and pollution
