Sulfur Dioxide Levels in Yerevan Air Reach 'Lethal' Proportions, Says Narine Kirakosyan

Journalist and co-founder of the Eco-Media Network, Narine Kirakosyan, made a post on her Facebook page stating the following:

“The Ministry of Environment and the Municipality of Yerevan are exhibiting criminal negligence. Air pollution in the capital city surpassed permissible limits due to sulfur dioxide (SO2), yet no specific actions are being taken. The presence of sulfur dioxide, as outlined in a report by the Hydro-Meteorological Monitoring Center under the Ministry of Environment, indicates that Yerevan is being poisoned as a result of waste incineration and vehicular emissions.

Another significant cause is the absence of lush canopy trees, which are essential for photosynthesis among other things. In simple terms, the ignorant actions of the Municipality’s ‘Greening and Environmental Protection’ organization have resulted in the removal of supposedly old and diseased trees (including plane trees), only to replace them with species unsuitable for Yerevan (such as the expensive purchased sukura trees), which have low adhesion and have withered and dried out.

This means that there are a lot of cars in the city that do not have special filters, which could prevent the city's air from becoming toxic. Furthermore, the Sovietashen-Nubarashen landfill has become a major source of emissions, yet no solution is being implemented for this landfill issue. There have been numerous promises, discussions, and grants, but the result is zero.

It's important to understand that sulfur (IV) oxide is a toxic gas, meaning it is quite dangerous and poisonous. Symptoms of poisoning from this gas include colds, coughs, hoarseness, and a sharp burning sensation in the throat. Recall if you’ve experienced such feelings and what symptoms a doctor identified if you sought medical help.

Inhalation of higher concentrations of sulfur dioxide can lead to more severe symptoms such as suffocation, speech disturbances, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and acute pulmonary inflammation. There has been an increase in cases with such complaints; people are confused, thinking they might have a virus or that there is something wrong with what they have eaten or drunk. However, the most likely cause of deteriorating health is poisoning from sulfur gas. Yet, no responsible body, including the Ministry of Health, has provided any explanation to the public.

At the very least, an allergist will claim it is allergies and will prescribe a considerable amount of antihistamines. There are several options to clean the air from these gases, among which the most crucial are: 1. Preventing the continuous burning of waste in the Nubarashen and other large landfills as much as possible. 2. Mandating filters for vehicles. 3. Increasing green zones (oak, beech, and sycamore are resistant to SO2 gas). But what is being done? None of these. Because demagoguery and populism dominate in every sector, leading to criminal negligence.”