Air quality

Air quality in Siilinjärvi is monitored by a wide range of measurements. Siilinjärvi’s air quality is most affected by emissions from road traffic and Yara Suomi Oy, as well as by emissions from heating plants and the burning of wood for domestic heating.

In spring, and in autumn before the permanent snow cover, air quality is particularly affected by street dust. The sand on the street raises particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), which has an impact on human health, among other things. Sulphur and nitrogen dioxide emissions to air are emitted by Yara and the Mondi Powerflute Oy production plants in Sorsasalo, Kuopio. Nitrogen oxide emissions are also generated by road transport.

Air quality is measured in the central district of the village and around the Yara Finland Oy mining site. The measurement results are available in real time on Aqverkkokuopio.net. Real-time results for the central quarter are also available on the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s website. The results are also available in the Siilinjärvi app.

The municipality seeks to mitigate air quality degradation through decision-making, permits and opinions. Air quality issues are taken into account in planning and transport, for example. Regulations on dust control are laid down for extraction and mining activities. The success of dust control is monitored during inspections.