Air pollution affects 44% of Russians

MOSCOW. February 13. KAZINFORM A total of 44% of Russians live in areas with serious air pollution, the Eurasian Development Bank said in a report on Friday.

"Toxic substances in the air exceed the maximum allowable concentrations in 185 cities with a population of over 61 million people, or 44% of Russia's population," the report says. Air pollution is responsible for 17% of diseases in children and 10% in adults. The report also said that emissions of carbon dioxide by Russian power stations are expected to increase 46.8% from 2002 levels by 2010, reaching 690,200 tons; Kazinform has learned from RIA Novosti. In 2002-2020, emissions will grow by 57.2%, to 739,300 tons. Russia has about 300 thermal power stations, most of which are fueled by natural gas.