Air Under Control: A “Digital Environmental Watchdog” Goes Live in Emelyanovo
An automated air quality monitoring station has begun operating in the settlement of Emelyanovo in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk Territory. The new “digital guardian” of environmental safety works around the clock, turning air quality from an abstract concern into a stream of real-time data accessible to the public.
Earth–Air Interface
The station continuously measures concentrations of key pollutants: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and hazardous fine particulate matter PM2.5. At the same time, it records meteorological parameters – wind direction and speed, temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. All readings are updated every 20 minutes and published in open access via the regional Environmental Monitoring Center’s portal.
Residents can now see, in real time, the quality of the air they breathe. Crucially, these operational data do more than simply confirm pollution after the fact. They make it possible to quickly identify likely sources and take corrective action. This marks a concrete and meaningful step in implementing the federal “Clean Air” initiative under Russia’s national Environmental Well-Being program.
A Network Set to Expand
Larger-scale systems have already demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach. The Moscow Region operates a network of more than 260 automated monitoring posts. The capital’s “Mosecomonitoring” system includes over 50 stations, while St. Petersburg runs 25 automated sites. At the federal level, the national hydrometeorological network spans hundreds of cities. Digital environmental oversight has become a nationwide priority.
In the Krasnoyarsk Territory, 17 such stations are already in operation, with additional posts planned for Borodino, Sharypovo, and other areas. The goal is comprehensive coverage of both industrial zones and residential neighborhoods. Data from the network are expected to be integrated into regional and federal digital ecosystems, enabling air quality forecasts, SMS alert systems, mobile apps, and advanced analytical tools for policymakers.
A Foundation for Decisions
The launch of the Emelyanovo station represents a practical contribution to improving the region’s environmental conditions. It symbolizes a shift from sporadic measurements to continuous, data-driven environmental monitoring. According to the regional Ministry of Ecology, when exceedances are detected, environmental inspectors, together with a mobile laboratory, are dispatched to identify sources and causes of pollution. Building a unified environmental infrastructure supports a systematic, rather than reactive, approach to environmental protection.
In the coming years, authorities anticipate the creation of a unified regional platform with enhanced analytics, deeper integration with federal resources, and smart public-warning services. The modest monitoring post in Emelyanovo is part of a much larger effort – one that aims to make the air cleaner and everyday life safer.
