Concentration of Carbon Monoxide in Moscow's Atmosphere Exceeds Allowed Limit by 1.5 to 2 Times

The concentration of carbon monoxide in Moscow's atmosphere in the early hours of today exceeded the allowed limit by 1.5 to 2 times, according to figures from the capital's health inspectorate. This was announced at a press conference today by Alexander Ivanenko, the government's deputy chief medical officer for Moscow.

Current Russian norms allow 5 milligrams of carbon monoxide per cubic metre of air, explained Ivanenko. Yesterday the heaviest smog was detected in the morning in the Eastern, South-Eastern and North-Western Districts of the capital - up to 40 mg/cubic metre. However, by 4 p.m. the situation had already improved, noted the deputy chief medical officer.

'Today we can state confidently that the environmental situation in Moscow is not extreme. Even if the smog which we saw on Wednesday and Thursday doesn't lift for another week, this will not have any negative effect on residents' health,' said Ivanenko. He claimed that no real health risk was posed to people, even those suffering from chronic asthma or heart and lung problems, by norms for the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air being exceeded, even by 8-10 times. 'We recommend that people in these categories do not air their homes during the morning, move around less and keep taking their medicines at the regular times,' added Ivanenko.