In November, PM2.5 dropped by 43.5 percent and PM10 by 41 percent, respectively, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO). PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that has a diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometers, which is about 3 percent the diameter of a human hair. The biggest change has been made in 2019, restricting the consumption of raw coal in Ulaanbaatar. However, since the use of enhanced coal, the amount of sulfur gas and nitrogen dioxide in the air has increased dramatically. The volume of sulfuric gas increased by 82.5 percent and nitrogen dioxide by 15.9 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. According to Agaar.mn, the chronic effects of this type of pollutant can increase the incidence of respiratory diseases, weaken the protective mechanisms of the lungs, and exacerbate chronic cardiovascular diseases. However, a more serious problem was when 10 people died and 1,878 were poisoned in enhanced coal briquette fume, according to the National Health Center. This type of incident was recorded in previous years, but it has increased tenfold compared to 2018.

Published Date:2019-12-20