 in "Krasna Polyana" reached 154 micrograms per cubic meter last night){kind=link}
Residents of Sofia’s “Krasna Polyana” neighborhood are sounding the alarm as air pollution worsens with the onset of fall. Locals have reported an overpowering smell of burnt materials, including synthetics, clothes, and tires, with many describing the air as visibly dirty.
This has prompted fears about the growing health risks in the area, which is already grappling with dangerous levels of particulate matter. Many of the complaints center around the so-called “Vietnamese dormitories,” which have long been suspected of contributing to the pollution.
These buildings are allegedly linked to illegal activities such as waste burning, further exacerbating air quality problems. As frustration mounts, residents are preparing to organize a protest to demand immediate and lasting solutions from the authorities.
Pollution levels in the area have been measured by independent sources, revealing disturbing data. At 00:09 last night, fine particulate concentration (FPC) in “Krasna Polyana” reached 154 micrograms per cubic meter.
By 4:00 a.m., this had risen to 183 micrograms, far exceeding the permissible limit of 50 micrograms. Over the weekend, pollution levels surpassed 200 micrograms, underscoring the urgency of addressing this ongoing crisis.
Despite efforts by local authorities to tackle the issue, residents argue that these actions are insufficient and temporary. In response to the growing concerns, local municipal councilors have highlighted the measures taken so far.
Dimitar Petrov, a municipal councilor from the WCC-DB party, stated that the municipality has been conducting more frequent inspections and has already removed seven buildings where illegal waste burning was taking place.
Additionally, a program to replace old stoves with cleaner alternatives is reportedly underway, which officials hope will improve the situation in the long run.
However, many residents remain unconvinced. They argue that while these measures may provide temporary relief, they fail to address the root causes of the pollution, such as illegal waste disposal and outdated heating systems.
They believe that more comprehensive and permanent solutions are necessary to protect public health and improve the overall air quality in the neighborhood.
The dissatisfaction with the authorities’ response has led residents to call for greater action. They argue that the pollution in “Krasna Polyana” has reached a critical point, and the health risks posed by fine particulate matter, which can contribute to respiratory issues and other long-term health problems, are too great to ignore.
Many are preparing to take to the streets in protest, demanding a more robust and permanent solution. As the situation develops, residents of “Krasna Polyana” are hoping that their collective voice will force the authorities to take more decisive action.
They are calling for better enforcement of regulations on waste burning, improved air quality monitoring, and a more aggressive push for cleaner, sustainable heating alternatives.
Until then, the neighborhood remains under the shadow of worsening air pollution, with residents growing increasingly vocal in their demand for change.