site.btaUnpleasant Odours from Kronospan Plant in Veliko Tarnovo Are Prerequisite for Health Risks, Report Says

Even though no exceedances of the permissible emission standards have been established, the unpleasant odours from the operation of the Kronospan plant in Veliko Tarnovo are a prerequisite for health risks, a report of the Regional Health Inspectorate found, quoted by the press centre of the regional administration on Thursday.

The report, which had been requested by Veliko Tarnovo Regional Governor Valentin Mihaylov, emphasizes that the main complaints of local residents are related to a pungent odour, irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory tract, smoke and wood dust in the urban environment. According to experts, the main sources of emissions are drying installations and production lines for particleboard and fibreboard at the Kronospan plant. The Austrian company is a leading manufacturer of wood-based panels.

"During the drying of wood particles and pressing, drying gases containing wood dust, volatile organic compounds and water vapour are released. Under certain weather conditions, such as temperature changes and southeasterly winds, they can spread outside the plant site in the form of a light mist with a bluish tint and cause discomfort to the population", the report stresses, pointing out that some of the substances released can cause irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract, while formaldehyde also has carcinogenic potential with prolonged exposure.

The report concludes that even when there are no acute health complaints, unpleasant odours can negatively affect the quality of life by limiting people's daily activities. The conclusion of the report is in connection with the fact that on the days with the most reports from residents about unpleasant odours there is no increase in cases of respiratory diseases. "The registered diseases follow the usual seasonality and no direct connection with the reports about odours can be established", the report also notes.

The Regional Health Inspectorate will request summarized analyses of the health status of the employees at the enterprise and will continue to monitor the data on the quality of atmospheric air provided by the Regional Environment and Water Inspectorate in Veliko Tarnovo. If air quality deteriorates, the institution will promptly inform residents and provide recommendations for limiting health risks, the press centre of the regional administration stated.