A leak of sulfur dioxide occurred at the Crimean Titan plant in the town of Armyansk in the early hours of August, 24.
“On September 4, there was information that the concentration of sulfur dioxide in the air exceeded the norm, but there is no data to what extent this norm is exceeded,” Interfax Ukraine quotes Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights of Residents of Crimea and Sevastopol Ismail Khalikov.
The Crimean authorities have asked local residents to close windows and not to leave their homes if possible. Thousands of children have been sent to health centres of Yevpatoria, Bakhchisaray and Saki districts. The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case over the alleged violation of rules for handling environmentally hazardous substances and wastes.
The work of the plant has been suspended for two weeks over exceeding the threshold limit value for sulphur dioxide in the northern part of the peninsula.
A number of Russian media started reporting the discharge of a toxic agent in the Crimean town on August, 27. The residents of Armyansk complained about trouble breathing, fever, nausea and rash. There was a disgusting smell and a yellowish tinge-like oily plaque was formed on the roofs of houses, metal objects in the apartments; cars were covered with rust ash.
The Crimean Titan plant is one of the biggest titanium dioxide producers largest in Eastern Europe. The substance is used for the manufacture of paints and varnishes, plastics, rubber, etc
