The study of the Estonian Environmental Research Center assessed the air quality of the area and the frequency of occurrence of odor nuisance. It was also checked whether the implementation of the measures set out in the action plans for reducing the presence of odorous substances prepared after the 2013 measurements were effective. The study also included other potential sources of disturbance, which may affect the air quality of the area through their activities.
The study showed that the air quality in the Muuga and Maardu region has improved over the past few years, but there is an excess of the odor disturbance level due to the combined effect of several facilities. Now the Environmental Board, together with companies, has started looking for solutions to reduce the odor problem.
Rainer Vakra, Director General of the Environmental Board, emphasizes the importance of ensuring good air quality. "A lot of industry and other companies are concentrated in Muuga and Maardu region. If their activities affect air quality, they must also think about how to solve odor problems. To this end, we expect a plan to reduce the presence of odorous substances and also its implementation from the seven companies in the region, whose activities we identified as causing odor nuisance," said Rainer Vakra.
The Environmental Board presented the results of the ambient air survey and the planned follow-up activities to the companies of Muuga-Maardu region on June 16. According to Kuldar Rikma, Chief Inspector of the Environmental Use Supervision Development Department of the Environmental Board, companies' comments and observations are expected within a month. "Based on the companies' feedback, the Estonian Environmental Research Center makes changes to the study report if they are relevant. The final version of the study report will be ready by the second half of August, and then we will present it in more detail to the public," Kuldar Rikma explained.
Companies that have exceeded the nuisance level of an odoriferous substance in combination must prepare and submit to the Environmental Board for approval a plan to reduce the occurrence of an odoriferous substance, with which the measures determined must ensure the occurrence, spread, and reduction of the irritating odor perception for local residents to the extent established. The Environmental Board checks the implementation of the measures presented in the plan.
Previously, similar studies were conducted in Muuga-Maardu region in 2006-2007 and 2013-2014.
The 2014 study identified the exceeding the nuisance level of the odoriferous substance in the residential areas bordering Muuga harbor. As a result, the three companies created an action plan to reduce the presence of the odoriferous substance, which has been implemented to date.
Previously prepared action plans and the measures described in them can be found on the website of the Environmental Board.
