MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE CONCENTTRATION LEVEL EXCEED IN ARMENIA

ARKA
March 14, 2008

YEREVAN, March 14. /ARKA/. The maximum permissible concentration (MPC)
of pollutants exceeded the level in Armenia in 2007, the analysis of
the RA National Statistical Service (NSS) shows.

The maximum concentration of sulphur dioxide and cement kiln dust
in the atmosphere exceeded the norm in Ararat, Alaverdi, Gyumri,
Vanadzor, Hrazdan and Tsakhkadzor cities.

The monthly average MPC of pollutants and sulphur dioxide decreased
by 1.5pct in 2007 compared with 2006. The annual concentration of
nitrogen oxidant and ground-level ozone in the atmosphere decreased
by 1.2pct in the period under review.

The air pollution in Gyumri exceeded 2.2pct MPC in 2007 – 1.2pct
decrease compared with 2006. In Vanadzor, the annual average
concentration of pollutants, benzene and nitrogen dioxide decreased
by 1.2pct, 3.2pct and 1.3pct respectively.

The NSS monitoring shows that the level of cement kiln dust in Hrazdan
exceeded MPC by 5.1pct in 2007 (1.5pct increase compared with 2006).

In Ararat cement kiln dust exceeded MPC by 5.4pct in the reporting
period (1.6pct increase compared with 2006).

In Tsakhkadzor resort. The concentration of sulphur dioxide and
nitrogen dioxide was below MPC by 10.9pct and 6.3pct respectively.

The analysis showed that the level of ammonium ion and nitrate exceeded
MPC and biochemical consumption of oxygen in Armenian rivers. The
concentration of aluminum, vanadium, chrome, copper, selenium, iron,
zinc, ion nitrite, ion sulfate and ammonium ion exceeded MPC in all
the 48 surveyed rivers (from 1.7pct to 840pct).

Magnesium ions exceeded by 1.2pct-1.4pct MPC in the Sevan.