ERMC/AUA.: State of the Environment Armenia

• Noise Pollution.

Before 1992 the main point sources of air pollution in Armenia had been associated with energy sector (35%), non-ferrous production (19%), industrial construction materials (10%) and chemicals production (9%). The total volume of emissions from point sources accounted for 255 thousand tons yearly. The vehicle emissions exceeded 489 thousand tons yearly or 65% of total emissions volume.

Due to economic hardship and some Governmental decisions. the operation of "Nairi" chemical plant, Armenian Nuclear Power Plant and Alaverdi metallurgy plant was ceased. It was resulted in sharp decline in total air emissions in Armenia: SO2- by 12 times, CO - by 1.8 times and nitrogen oxides - by 3 times.

Currently, alongside with economic improvement in Armenia many industrial enterprises are being recovered, the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant has been recently reopened. The preventive measures aimed at decreasing of air pollution in the country are extremely ineffective. The general situation is further deteriorated by physical location of mostly polluted cities of Armenia - Yerevan (Map - Yerevan)., Ararat, Vanadzor and Hrazdan. All these cities are placed in valleys, between mountain ranges, where calm weather and temperature inversions tend to collect and hold emissions in place, thereby increasing concentrations to which the population is exposed.

Copyright 1997 Kurkjian Images

Now the principal source of air pollution in Armenia is energy sector, particularly Thermal Power Plants in Yerevan and Vanadzor, Heat Power Plant in Hrazdan. The recent technological interventions in above plants resulted in reducing the nitrogen emissions by 10-15%.

The registry of air pollutants in Armenia is conducted by the yearly statistic form, called 2-TP (Air). The statistic forms should be filled in by the enterprises whose yearly air emissions exceed 100 tons. Afterwards, the statistic forms are to be submitted to the State Statistics and Registry Department.

In 1996, the total air emissions from point sources in Armenia were some 8,976 thousand tons / year, while vehicle emissions accounted for 158,279 thousand tons / year. The official estimates of vehicle emissions are based on the annual mileage data.