Kiera Jefferson
Russia's most polluted city is Norilsk, a closed city in Krasnoyarsk Krai, located 300 km north of the Arctic Circle. Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest producer of palladium and high-grade nickel, is responsible for the city's poor air quality, which has been described as unbreathable. The company has been making efforts to address the issue, such as investing in modernizing its facilities and shutting down its oldest nickel processing plant in 2014. However, environmental concerns persist, as evidenced by a river in the city turning red due to a spillage. In addition to Norilsk, Dzershinsk, a major centre of the chemical industry, and cities in Siberia and the Urals are also highly polluted areas in Russia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Russia's most polluted city | Norilsk |
| Location | 300 km north of the Arctic Circle, 2,400 km from the North Pole |
| Population | 176,735 as of 2024, up to 220,000 including temporary inhabitants |
| Main Source of Pollution | Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest nickel and palladium mining and smelting company |
| Pollution Levels | Atmospheric pollution is 10 times higher than the Russian average and 25 times higher than Moscow |
| Health Impact | Higher rates of respiratory, digestive, and nervous illnesses, abortions, premature births, and cancer (especially lung cancer) |
| Environmental Incidents | River turned red due to spillage, diesel fuel spill from an NTEK power plant, increased levels of SO2, HS, phenol, formaldehyde, dust, nickel, and copper |
| Actions Taken | Norilsk Nickel shut down one of its factories, invested in environmental measures, and planned to invest 300 billion roubles |
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What You'll Learn
Norilsk, Russia's most polluted city
Norilsk's main source of pollution is Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest nickel and palladium mining and smelting company. The company controls one-third of the world's nickel deposits and is a significant producer of other metals such as cobalt, platinum, and palladium. The plants were constructed during the Soviet era, a time when there were little to no environmental standards or controls in place. As a result, Norilsk has been severely affected by air pollution, with levels of copper and nickel exceeding the maximum allowable concentrations.
The local population, especially children, suffers from numerous health issues due to the poor air quality. Studies have shown higher rates of respiratory, digestive, and nervous illnesses in children, as well as increased incidences of cancer, particularly lung cancer. The mortality rate from respiratory diseases is significantly higher than the Russian average, contributing to 15.8% of all deaths among children.
In recent years, Norilsk Nickel has faced pressure to address its environmental impact. In 2010, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to impose significant environmental fines if the company did not modernise its operations. As a result, the company began investing in environmental measures, including the gradual closure of the nickel factory. In 2016, the company's chairman, Vladimir Potanin, acknowledged that environmental issues were their biggest problem. Norilsk Nickel has since invested in modernising its facilities and aims to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions. However, despite these efforts, environmental concerns persist, as evidenced by a river turning red due to a spillage in 2016.
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Norilsk Nickel's efforts to reduce pollution
Norilsk, Russia's most polluted city, is polluted primarily due to the metallurgical company Norilsk Nickel, the world's biggest producer of palladium and high-grade nickel. Norilsk Nickel has made several efforts to reduce pollution in the city.
In 2006, Norilsk Nickel reported investing more than $5 million in maintaining and overhauling its dust and gas recovery and removal systems. The company also committed nearly $1.4 million to its air pollution prevention plan. In 2007, the Blacksmith Institute confirmed that the company was making significant efforts to address the level of emissions. Norilsk Nickel stated its intention to move the nickel plant inside the city to a plant just outside and reduce sulphur dioxide emissions to 400,000 tons by 2015.
In 2010, Russian President Vladimir Putin chaired a public meeting, expressing his dissatisfaction with the company's efforts to cut pollution. Two years later, Norilsk Nickel pledged to make the air in Norilsk as clean as that in European cities in four years. However, by 2016, the company had not met this goal.
In 2016, Norilsk Nickel signed a $1.7 billion contract with the Canadian company SNC-Lavalin Inc. for a clean-up project. The goal of the project was to reduce sulphur emissions by introducing new technical solutions on the ground in Norilsk. The project aimed to cut emissions by as much as 75% by 2020. As part of this effort, Norilsk Nickel closed its oldest and most polluting plant, a melter built in 1942, removing annual emissions of about 380,000 tons of sulphur dioxide.
In 2020, Norilsk Nickel faced scrutiny after a diesel fuel spill. The company maintained that the cleanup effort collected more than 90% of the leaked fuel, an extraordinary recovery rate if true.
Norilsk Nickel has pledged to spend at least $4.1 billion on a project called Sulfur Programme 2.0 to reduce sulphur dioxide air pollution by 90% by 2025. The company has stated that the project will fundamentally change the ecological situation in Norilsk.
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The health impact of living in Norilsk
Norilsk, Russia's most polluted city, is also one of the world's most isolated cities. The city is located 180 miles north of the Arctic Circle, and there are no roads to Norilsk. The only way to get there is by flying or sailing when the waterways are not frozen. Norilsk's isolation has resulted in a tightly-knit community, with social gatherings being a rare occurrence.
Norilsk is primarily known for its metallurgical industry, with the world's largest nickel and palladium mining and smelting company, Norilsk Nickel, being the principal employer in the area. The company has been making efforts to address its environmental impact, such as investing in modernizing its facilities and shutting down its oldest nickel-processing plant in 2014. However, the level of atmospheric pollution in Norilsk remains extremely high and is still ten times higher than the Russian average.
The health effects of living in Norilsk are severe. The city's air pollution has been linked to increased rates of respiratory, digestive, and nervous illnesses in children, as well as a higher incidence of abortions and premature births compared to other cities in the region. Air pollution is estimated to contribute to 37% of children's morbidity rates and 21.6% of adult morbidity. Additionally, cancer rates, especially lung cancer, have increased in Norilsk, and the risk of cancer is twice as high as in other regions. The life expectancy of Norilsk's residents is also significantly impacted, with people living in the city surviving on average 10 years fewer than those in other parts of Russia.
Despite the environmental and health challenges, Norilsk offers some benefits to its residents. The pay is good, and the city provides a full range of public healthcare services, including outpatient clinics, emergency rooms, and dentist clinics. Social facilities are also surprisingly good, with plenty of indoor sports facilities and schools. The cold climate can be challenging, but Russian apartment buildings typically have district heating, and gas is cheap and readily available for heating.
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The environmental impact of Norilsk Nickel
Norilsk, Russia's most polluted city, is located in the Siberian Arctic. The city is home to Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest producer of palladium and one of the largest producers of nickel, platinum, cobalt, and copper. The company's operations have had a significant impact on the environment, contributing to high levels of air and water pollution in the region.
Norilsk Nickel's plants were constructed during the Soviet era, a period of non-existent environmental standards and controls. As a result, the company has historically emitted high levels of pollutants, including sulphur dioxide, nickel, copper, cobalt, iron, and heavy metals. In 2007, the Blacksmith Institute declared Norilsk one of the top 10 most polluted places in the world due to the high levels of sulphur dioxide in the air. The local population is severely affected by the poor air quality, with children suffering from respiratory diseases and increased rates of ear, nose, and throat illnesses.
In recent years, Norilsk Nickel has taken some steps to address its environmental impact. In 2006, the company reported investing over US $5 million in maintaining and overhauling its dust and gas recovery and removal systems. The company also announced plans to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions and move its nickel plant outside the city. In 2014, Norilsk Nickel closed its oldest nickel processing plant, and in 2020, it shut down another nickel factory. However, despite these efforts, environmental concerns persist. In 2020, a diesel fuel spill from the company contaminated aquatic ecosystems, impacting the liver and muscles of fish in the area. Additionally, in 2021, the company discharged cobalt, iron, and nickel into waterways at levels far exceeding the legal limits.
The Russian government has also taken action to address the environmental impact of Norilsk Nickel. In 2010, President Vladimir Putin threatened to impose significant environmental fines if the company did not modernise its facilities. By 2013, the company began investing in environmental measures, and in exchange, the government provided incentives such as cancelling export customs on nickel and copper. However, the situation in Norilsk remains dire, with experts predicting that the health effects of pollution could persist for many years.
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Other polluted cities in Russia
Norilsk, a city in Siberia, is widely considered Russia's most polluted city. The main source of pollution is Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest nickel and palladium mining and smelting company. Norilsk Nickel has been making efforts to address its emissions, including investing in its dust and gas recovery and removal systems, and closing one of its factories in June 2010. However, official statistics state that emissions remain extremely high, with levels of SO2, HS, phenol, formaldehyde, dust, nickel, and copper all increasing.
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Frequently asked questions
Norilsk, Russia's most polluted city, is located in the Siberian Arctic and is home to the world's largest nickel and palladium mining and smelting company, Norilsk Nickel. The city's air pollution is ten times higher than the Russian average and 25 times higher than in Moscow.
Norilsk Nickel is the main source of pollution in the city. The company has been working to address the issue, investing in environmental measures and shutting down its nickel factory in 2016. However, other plants in Norilsk have taken on the nickel factory's operations, and environmental concerns persist.
The health effects of pollution in Norilsk are significant. The city's population experiences high rates of respiratory, digestive, and nervous illnesses, as well as increased incidences of cancer, especially lung cancer. The pollution has also affected children's health, with higher rates of respiratory diseases and other illnesses compared to other regions.
