Air quality deteriorated in Rivne region after a fire broke out at a foam plastic manufacturing plant in Varkovychi on August 11.
The Main Department of the State Emergency Service in Rivne region reported that emergency services received a report of a warehouse fire in Varkovychi village in Dubno district at 12:32 p.m. Firefighters arriving at the scene found that flames had engulfed warehouse premises as well as dry grass on open land nearby. Rescue crews localized the fire at 3:04 p.m. and completely extinguished it by 5:49 p.m. No injuries occurred during the incident.
The Varkovychi rural territorial community confirmed that the blaze occurred at a local foam plastic manufacturing plant. Local authorities advised residents to close their windows and avoid going outside unless necessary.
Air Quality Monitoring
The Rivne Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that environmental testing conducted at 8:00 p.m. showed air pollution levels exceeded safe limits in two local villages. In Varkovychi, nitrogen dioxide concentrations were 1.4 times above the maximum allowable limit, while soot levels were nearly three times higher than allowed.
In the neighboring village of Molodizhne, nitrogen dioxide levels exceeded allowable limits by 1.1 times, and soot levels were double the permitted limit. Tests for sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, and phenol showed no excess concentrations. Authorities did not report the cause of the fire.
