The issue of environmental protection evokes great concern, particularly since it is linked to rapid economic and social development on a global scale. Indeed, human survival may well depend on solutions being found to address the issue. Air pollution is detrimental to human and animal health and can cause breathing difficulties, health problems, disease or even death. Pregnant women are particularly sensitive to the influence of harmful air pollutants and airborne toxins can even harm unborn children − hence the need to monitor and control air quality.

Under national and European legislation (Directive 96/62/ЕС) Bulgaria is divided into six air quality assessment and management areas (ROUKAVs).

Air quality data is compiled and analyses made for each area taking into account the specific nature of local communities.

Figure 1. “Locations of air quality of Bulgaria, broken down by districts for assessment and management of air quality (RUKAV)”

Sulphur dioxide

During the year, two ROUKAVs (the South-western and Southern/Thracian) registered exceedances of the mean hourly norm (MHN) and mean daily norm (MDN) for sulphur dioxide content in the air.

Figure 2. “List of zones in relation to limit value exceedences for SO2”

Figure 3. “Incidence of exceedances of sulphur dioxide standards (hourly and daily)”

Figure 4 ”Levels of sulphur dioxide pollution measured by ROUKAV” 

The main sources of sulphur dioxide emissions in the Southern ROUKAV were the three coal-fired power stations making up the Maritsa Iztok complex and also the Maritsa 3 coal-fired power station in Dimitrovgrad. Major sources in the South-western ROUKAV were the lead and zinc factory at Kardzhali and the Republika coal-fired power station. Emissions from fossil fuel  burnt for home heating also contributed to the pollution.

Nitrous dioxide

During the year, the only exceedance of nitrous dioxide MHN and MDN was registered by the Sofia ROUKAV, the main source being vehicle exhausts. Other ROUKAVs did not register exceedances in 2007: threshold breaches were within limit values or did not occur.

Figure 5. “List of zones in relation to limit value exceedences for NO2/NOx”

Figure 6. “Breaches of nitrous oxide norms registered at the "Orlov Most"  in Sofia from 2003-2007”

Figure 7. “Number exceedances srednochasovato rate of nitrogen dioxide in points in 2007”

Fine dust particulates (PM10)

PM₁₀ pollution continues to be a major air quality issue for all ROUKAVs. Each of the ROUKAVs registered MHN and MDN exceedances of PM₁₀ during the year.

Figure 8. “List of ROUKAVs registering limit value exceedances for PM10”

Figure 9.  “Registered exceedances of PM₁₀ mean daily norms”

Figure 10. “Number of exceedances of the daily average rate (ADN) of PM10 in points in 2007”

The sources of excessive PM₁₀ pollution were industry, households and transportation, and also polluted and badly-maintained road surfaces. A typical summer problem is the prolonged dry period, causing soil weathering, which in turn contributes to air pollution.

Ozone

Only the Southern/Thracian ROUKAV registered an exceedance of the ozone target of 120 μg/m³ (maximum eight-hour value within a day which must not be breached on more than 25 days in a year over a three-year period).

Figure 11. “List of ROUKAVs where levels exceed or do not exceed target values or long-term objectives for ozone (2002/3/EC, Annex I)”

Environmental impact

Sulphur, nitrogen, fine dust particulates and ozone are basic air quality factors. For this reason, the EU and EEA place particular emphasis on the proportion of Member State populations exposed to excessive levels of these pollutants. In this connection, 2007 air quality monitoring data were compared to the populations in each ROUKAV and nationwide to determine the proportion of people exposed to excessive pollutants. The results are shown below.

Percentage of people affected by SO₂, NO₂, PM₁₀ and ozone pollution in each ROUKAV

Harmful substance emissions

Oxidant emissions

During the period 1990-2006, harmful substance emissions expressed in oxide equivalent fell from 79.1 ktonnes to 36 ktonnes − a reduction of some 55 %. 

Ozone precursor emissions

Figure 13. “Changes in ozone precursor emissions shown as NMVOC equivalent between 1998 and 2007”.

After a rise in ozone precursor emissions between 2001 and 2006, there was a significant drop in 2007.

This sharp fall in emissions was largely due to the implementation of a uniform methodology for creating an inventory of harmful substances in the air, as set out in the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The new methodology was approved in Order No. RD 40/22.01.2008 issued by the Ministry of the Environment and Waters. The new emission factors are in line with the EMEP/CORINAIR Emission Inventory Guidebook.

After any change in emission monitoring methodologies the EU obliges Member States to recalculate and resubmit data on harmful emissions from their benchmark years to the reporting year.. To this effect, a public tendering procedure was set in motion in 2009 to recalculate harmful substance emissions into the air for the period 1980-2008 in relation to the new methodology. Recalculated data will be reported under relevant national obligations during 2011. 

PM10 precursor emissions

Figure 14. “PM₁₀ precursor emissions and change index, Bulgaria”.

PM₁₀ precursor emissions have fallen from 1 494 ktonnes in 1990 to 725 ktonnes in 2006, a reduction of approximately 52 %. The overall reduction relates to all three precursors

Bulgaria's international commitments on cutting harmful substance emissions

Directive 2001/81/ЕС requires each Member State to maintain set national ceilings for emissions of four major pollutants: sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrous oxide (NO_x), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) and ammonia (NH₃) by 2010, with 1990 as the benchmark year. In 2007, Bulgaria’s Council of Ministers adopted the National Programme for Restricting Overall Annual National Emissions of Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide, Volatile Organic Compounds and Ammonia, which advocates even lower levels for the emission of these substances. These levels are to be met by bringing large thermal installations in line with statutory requirements. Programme commitments were included in the treaty for Bulgarian accession to the European Union

Figure 15. “Annual trends in harmful substance emissions and accession negotiation commitments (ktonnes)”. 

Over the next decade, emission reductions will continue to progress with the implementation of the best available technology, use of cleaner fuels and more sustainable resources and the installation of sulphur filters at coal-fired power stations.

Measures to improve air quality

Complete harmonisation of European and Bulgarian air quality legislation was achieved by late 2007. The new CAFE Directive 2008/50/ЕС will be transposed into Bulgarian law by mid-2010.

The Bulgarian municipalities play an important role in air quality improvement. For example, to implement Directive 96/62/ЕС (Order No. 7/99) in communities with air quality problems, municipalities developed programmes to cut air pollutant levels in order to meet the required standards. The communities and pollutants subject to municipal clean air programmes are listed on the IAOS website (http://nfp-bg.eionet.eu.int/bul/NSMOS/Air/ROUKAV/index.html). The programmes comprise short and long-term measures which are implemented by the municipalities.