Environmental Quality Page 2 of 3 Air Pollution Case study Baia Mare Recent recognition of air pollution There has been a growing increase in pollution studies since the 'blindness' of the communist period where the existence of pollution was seen as a characteristic of capitalist and Industrial societies At this time, to admit that industry was polluting the environment was to admit to failure of the system. Air Pollution This consists of changing the normal chemical composition of the by releasing into it impurities from natural or artificial sources. There are two sources of atmospheric pollution: 1) natural and 2) anthropogenic. The most dangerous source of pollution, which is the major contributor in Romania, is anthropogenic pollution in the form of burning fossil fuels from industrial sources. It remains quite stationary and is permanently polluting. In Romania the main air pollutants are Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulphate, Lead, Hydrogen Chloride and air-borne dusts. Baia Mare The Baia Mare depression is situated in Transylvania surrounded by mountains on three sides. In this area there is the extraction of lead, copper, zinc, gold and silver. Baia Mare produces about 25% of the national output of non-ferrous metals and is also one of the highest places for pollution outputs too. The town of Baia Mare has the highest level of pollution in the region due to the concentrations of sulphur dioxide, sulphate ions, lead, and other suspended particle pollution. However this is enhanced by the geographical location of Baia Mare. Due to the inversion layer of air caused by cold weather and the topography of the valley, the air and pollution is trapped over the town. Frequent lack of wind and the daily thermal regime of the urban area are other important microclimatic factors, which also prevent the dispersal of the pollution. (Popescu & Maddrell, 1993). The influence of Industry In Romania industry is the main source of pollution on its cities, both air and water pollution. Although for example car ownership has increased, it still accounts for a small proportion of total air pollution. Two characteristics are important when looking at the influence of industry on air pollution. They are: 1) Heavy industry dominates as two thirds of industry are producing metal and chemical products 2) Most production is on a large scale. Ammonia is one of the most significant pollutants and is produced in large quantities from factories producing nitric acid and nitrate-based fertilisers. Ammonia is present in cities around factories, which is in the form of a mist and is a skin irritant. Hydrogen sulphide This is produced by a number of industrial processes and from the sulphur found in sewage. The main industrial activities are steel works and non-organic producing factories. However, in 1994 it did not reach dangerous levels in Romania. Lead In Baia Mare and Zlatna there are metallurgical plants which produce lead. On occasions these cities have shown levels of lead which have been above the limits established by Romania’s Ministry of Health. Hydrogen chloride This is also produced from factories that produce pesticides. Air borne dust Suspended air borne dust and powder from industrial activities. C. Alecock. | 1 | 2 | 3 | Page 2 of 3