Air quality

   What is causing the problems 

Major source of air pollution in Tbilisi is intensive road traffic . Total amount of motor vehicles driving in a narrow city streets is estimated to be more than 113,000 (source: The State Traffic Police, 1999 ), 94,216 from which is in a private ownership. Most vehicles are obsolete and use extremely low quality fuel, which is imported mainly from Romania, Bulgaria and Russia (gasoline), and Azerbaijan (diesel). Beside official, there are also many uncontrolled ways to import leaded fuel in Georgia.

Currently 80% of air pollution comes from transportation, however over 2000 stationary pollutant sources have been registered before the transition period (the1980s). From the stationary sources major polluters are the 'Centrolity' factory (produces secondary metallurgical products from scrap metal), the Lilo oil refinery, constructed materials' industry, various asphalt plants, leather, tobacco and other food industry. As already mentioned, the dominant wind directions in the city are Northwest, North and Southeast (see geography  in the background information). The main stationary sources of air pollution are located in the Northwest part of the city, and thus discharged substances settle in the central districts. Dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere is low that causes higher concentration of harmful substances in central districts.

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	- Air quality monitoring - Orographic scheme - Pollution dynamics - Pollution mapping