U.S. Steel Kosice: Our Emissions Down Despite PM10 Smog Alert

Kosice/Bratislava, 21 January (TASR) - U.S. Steel Kosice has said with respect to the current severe smog warning that it's invested more than 714 million US dollars (€608.23 million) since the year 2000 in dozens of environmental projects. As a result, according to steelworks spokesperson Jan Baca, the specific volume of particulate matter emissions has fallen by 97 percent when compared to 2001. "Overall, we've reduced the average annual particulate matter load in the vicinity of the U.S. Steel Kosice plant by 16,166 tonnes of dust since 2001," he said. The situation occurring in the municipality of Velka Ida is mainly being caused by unfavourable dispersion conditions in winter, uncontrolled heating with solid fuels of varying quality and the use of fuels in households that are not intended for heating, he added. "The activities of U.S. Steel Kosice fully comply with valid Slovak and European legislation," said Baca. A severe smog warning linked to PM10 particles is in force in Kosice and Velka Ida in Kosice-okolie district. It was issued by the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU), which said that the deterioration in air quality was caused by unfavourable dispersion conditions and increased emissions from heating combined with emissions from industrial sources and transport. SHMU is also warning of smog with PM10 particles in Jelsava, Ruzomberok, Lucenec, Plastovce and the districts of Ruzomberok, Lucenec and Presov. Meteorologists expect the situation to improve towards the end of the week. The Public Health Authority warns that severe smog can significantly worsen human health in winter, especially among children, seniors and people with chronic diseases. Hygienists recommend limiting the amount of time spent outdoors, especially when accompanied by physical exertion, and reducing the airing of interiors. mf/df