Levels were 20 times higher than the limit: a company in Kyiv was poisoning residents with sulfur dioxide

Levels were 20 times higher than the limit: a company in Kyiv was poisoning residents with sulfur dioxide Київська міська прокуратура
Maria Semenova

The company's director could face up to six years in prison

In the capital, law enforcement officials uncovered a manufacturing plant that was systematically violating environmental regulations. Samples taken by environmental inspectors showed that carbon monoxide levels exceeded the limit by more than 10 times, and sulfur dioxide levels by nearly 20 times. The plant’s director has been placed under investigation.

This was reported by the National Police of Ukraine.

Kyiv residents had been constantly complaining about air quality due to the plant’s operations. As the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office added, numerous complaints were received from residents of the Syrets, Obolon, Nyvky, Kurenivka, Zamkovysche, Pochaina, and Lukyanivka neighborhoods.

The polluting company’s scope of operations includes waste management, as well as aluminum production, metalworking, and non-ferrous metal casting. Production processes were carried out in violation of current environmental standards, including emission permit requirements.

Laboratory testing helped identify the excessive pollution levels. To this end, the State Environmental Inspection took air samples. The results showed levels that were many times higher than the maximum permissible concentrations. The largest deviations:

  • carbon monoxide – 2.789–9.554 g/s with the norm being 0.2573 g/s;
  • sulfur dioxide – 0.485 g/s with the norm at 0.0246 g/s.

Substance of the suspicion

Law enforcement has not disclosed information about the offender, but according to analysis of photos from the scene by the media outlet Suspilne, it was reported that the enterprise in question is LLC "ADM" headed by Anatoliy Aficzuk.

The management of the company failed to take any measures to eliminate the violations; therefore, the enterprise continued operating with excessive emissions of harmful substances.

Experts emphasize that the atmospheric air pollution posed a real threat to the health and lives of Kyiv residents. The environmental damage amounted to 2.5 million UAH.

As a result, the director of the enterprise was served a notice of suspicion under several articles of the Criminal Code:

  • for polluting atmospheric air with substances harmful to people and the environment, which created a danger to life and health;
  • for abuse of authority, which caused severe consequences to national interests.

The maximum penalty under these articles is up to six years’ imprisonment with disqualification from holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for up to three years.

Currently, a preventive measure for the company director is being determined.

EcoPolitic had previously reported that only 14% of cities worldwide in 2025 met the air quality standards of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Tags: , ,
Related
Digest of environmental offences: illegal logging, off-road driving and hunting offences
Digest of environmental offences: illegal logging, off-road driving and hunting offences

A jeep driver from Zakarpattia and the head of a polluting company in Dnipro are to stand trial

Air quality in Kyiv and regional centres across Ukraine on the morning of 11 September
Air quality in Kyiv and regional centres across Ukraine on the morning of 11 September

The highest levels of harmful dust have been recorded in Rivne and Chernivtsi, which have overtaken Zaporizhzhia

Forest fires are undoing progress made in reducing industrial emissions — UN
Forest fires are undoing progress made in reducing industrial emissions — UN

Extreme weather conditions have a direct impact on air pollution

How polluted is the air in Ukrainian cities on 8 September?
How polluted is the air in Ukrainian cities on 8 September?

In some parts of the capital, dust levels are almost three times the permitted limit