site.btaAnalysis Finds Elevated Benzene Levels in Pyasachevo Air Following Train Incident
Slightly elevated levels of benzene concentration in the air were reported in the analysis of the final results of measurements near the village of Pyasachevo in the area of the train accident, Tonka Atanasova, acting Director of the Haskovo Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIEW), told BTA on Friday. She specified that the higher levels were due to the burning of diesel fuel in the accident, in which eight tanks from a freight train derailed and caught fire near Pyasachevo.
A team from the Regional Laboratory of the Executive Environment Agency – Haskovo took air quality measurements with a Gasmet DX4040 FTIR Gas Analyzer near the railway line and near the residential buildings in Pyasachevo closest to the fire. After the final results, the validation of the data showed slightly elevated values, but they do not pose a direct danger to the population, Atanasova stated.
Regarding the measurement of soil contamination in the area of the incident, she reported that the eco-inspection team is awaiting the outcome of the investigation, which should specify the perimeter of the affected area and assess the contamination. When this is done, the relevant regional laboratory will be tasked with measuring soil quality. Earlier Friday, Atanasova said that if pollution is confirmed, landowners will be instructed not to cultivate or use the affected plots for a certain period of time.
/KT/
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