Tskhinvali residents wear respiratory masks to protect from dust

High concentration of dust in the air has become one of the most acute problems for residents of the capital of South Ossetia, after they started replacing underground utilities. City authorities lack cleaning equipment to combat the dust; while local residents have to put on respiratory masks.

On April 6, the Mayoralty of Tskhinvali began replacing the outdated city sewer and water networks. The underground utilities, built in 1960s, are old and in need of replacement. According to the Mayor Gerasim Khugaev, all the underground utilities will be replaced before the end of the year. Local residents are enthusiastic about the works, but the problem of dust complicates the situation.

Aiming to somehow reduce the level of dust in the air, city authorities are watering the main streets. "It's completely insufficient, but helps at least for some time," said Ravil Pukhaev, Director of the Department for City Improvement.

City residents disagree with this opinion.

"Passage of the watering vehicle is just a mockery. The truck drives slowly down the street with two air blowers on its sides, which blow away all the dust from the carriageway on passers-by on the sidewalk; water goes out from under the truck, just making a wet band and quickly turning into mud. A cloud of dust sets down on passers-by," said Irene Gagloeva, a local resident.

The local sanitary and epidemiological service also expressed their concern about the dust content in the air. Marina Kochieva, chief sanitary doctor of the republic, said that according to their laboratory studies, at dry and windy weather, the level of dust in the air is up to 50 times exceeding the standard.

The Republic's Somatic Hospital has no allergist, although many people suffer from dust allergy.