It continues to suffer from persistent contamination: dogs cannot be driven quietly and window cleaning is pointless.

That Klaipeda residents suffer from contamination is not news, but people say they are tired. According to them, windows and sills turn black and clean without cleaning, so it remains to guess what is happening in the human body.

“We all cough from morning to night,” said a Klaipeda resident while cleaning the dirty window.

“Nobody has monitored it and it cannot be said that it has been a direct impact of that company on human health. But no one can say otherwise that it had no effect, “said Asta Šlepetienė, representative of the National Center for Public Health (NVSC).

“When you start loading that metal, or something there, it’s scary. The pollution is terrible, because our house was renovated three years ago, the frames are yellow, ”complained another Klaipeda resident.

Another Klaipeda resident claimed that window sills were blackened all the time, so there was no point in cleaning them.

The polluter for residents and institutions alike is as clear-cut as Klaipeda Sea Freight Company KLASCO.

“The next two risk factors come from the company, namely noise and air pollution, dust, which, according to people’s complaints, settles back on window sills, balcony frames , etc. “, explained A. Šlepetienė.

The Department of Environmental Protection (AAD) has inspected the company more than once. The department head, who was fired on Friday, says violations were found.

“Last year we had two unscheduled inspections and one scheduled. During that year, two violations were identified for non-compliance with the conditions of the pollution permit, which were violations that we have identified, ”said Olga Vebrienė.

The legal disputes are ongoing and the chief of AAD sanctions declined to comment, as it depends on the extent to which the court will recognize their decision as legal.

Researchers from the Marine Research Institute of Klaipeda University (KU) also studied the situation; their conclusions are also unfavorable for the company.

“The first was carried out in summer and iron dust was found removed up to a distance of 650 m and deposited in passive storage facilities,” said Paulius Rapalis, head of the Laboratory for Water Transport and Air Pollution.

According to municipal specialists, it is not necessary to pinch only KLASCO.

“KLASCO is definitely not one of the biggest companies reporting air pollution. Its pollution is 1700 tons per year. Let’s say, compared to the largest Klaipeda Grigeo, it is close to 500 tons a year. Yes, that It is not one of the largest companies, but it is more noticeable by the pollution that spreads outside its territory, ”said Rasa Jievaitienė, Head of the Department of Environmental Quality.

External contamination is expected to stop in the near future. From May 1. Hopeful provisions come into force.

“The particles will not be able to enter outside the territory of the company and companies must make all the necessary requirements, that is, make certain technical decisions,” said O. Vebrienė.

An NVSC representative commented that the instruction had only now been written that the company’s contamination could not be behind the company’s fence without a sanitary protection zone.

“Now, as if we were putting those hopes up, we will see how we will achieve it,” said A. Šlepetienė.

Some time ago, the company was unexpectedly inspected while it was getting ready. A complaint was also received from neighbors, but no violations were identified. How realistic is it that the situation will change from May 1 and Klaipeda residents will be able to breathe freely?

“I would like it not to be left when the button is pressed. There are a large number of economic operators in the territory of the seaport that carry out cargo handling. The farm is managed every day and not only with iron ore, but also with agricultural products and other minerals.

Naturally, when there is strong wind, operators may not realize it or take immediate action, which is why contamination occurs. Unfortunately, I think this problem will continue to exist, “lamented O. Vebrienė.

However, the department says the inspections and penalties will continue. The company sent its written response to LNK News.

“KLASCO’s operations comply with environmental standards and the company will continue to work responsibly, applying the latest environmental measures. (…) Furthermore, comprehensive urban pollution surveys commissioned by the Klaipėda city municipality last year showed that KLASCO is not even among the companies polluting the city. According to the data from these studies, the main sources of particulate matter in Klaipeda are not the industrial activities of port companies, but industrial activity and transport.

In the northern part of the city, the main source of particulate matter pollution is residential heating, while in the central and southern parts of the city pollution from road transport predominates. We will endeavor to continue working in accordance with environmental requirements, which we hope will also apply to other sources of pollution in Klaipėda, ”said Vytautas Štumbergas, Managing Director of AB Klaipėdos jūrų krovinių kompanija.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently launching a review of the permit conditions. According to the municipality, KLASCO plans to stop loading iron ore entirely, however this should become clear in July.