A comprehensive inspection of the site of “Linamar Light Metals Ruse” Ltd. was conducted on 7 March this year. The inspection was carried out by experts from the Ministry of Environment and Water, RIEW- Sofia, RIEW - Veliko Tarnovo, and RIEW - Ruse. The inspection is in line with the commitment made by the Minister of Environment and Water Julian Popov on 8 January 2024 at the meeting with citizens in Ruse to uncertake a comprehensive inspection of the sources of air pollution in the city.

During a walk-through of the production site, specific odours characteristic of the operator's activities were detected in some places. The same, but intense odour was found in the working areas. No odours were present outside the production site at the time of the inspection.

The company was instructed to conduct an inspection of the facilities and processes likely to emit odour-intensive substances. The MOEW inspectors prescribed to the company to create a schedule of specific measures to prevent the spread of odours beyond the boundaries of the production site. The deadline for implementation of the prescription is 30 April 2024. RIEW - Ruse and the MOEW will monitor the implementation of the prescription.

Solving the problems with odours in Ruse and specifically those with the source "Linamar Light Metals Ruse" Ltd. requires a complex approach.Therefore Minister Julian Popov sent letters to the Minister of Labour and Social Policy and the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works to carry out inspections according to their competences. Only the joint work of the responsible institutions will yield results to eliminate the unpleasant odours in the city.

On March 6 this year a mobile automatic station (MAS) for air quality control of the Executive Environmental Agency started to process measurements in Ruse. The station is located in the area of the Fleet Tower, which houses the Hydrometeorological Station of the Executive Agency for the Study and Maintenance of the Danube River, near the Western Industrial Zone. According to a pre-established schedule, the station will operate for 13 days during each season of the year.

In accordance with environmental legislation, the station measures standard air pollutants as well as organic pollutants, such as benzene, toluene and xylene. The results of air quality monitoring will be provided to the Regional Health Inspectorate - Ruse.