The soils of Nizhny Novgorod have been recognized as moderately hazardous due to pollution levels.

      June 22, 2026 09:58 Society According to the results of 2025, the soils of Nizhny Novgorod have been classified as moderately hazardous in terms of heavy metal pollution. This data is presented in a review by Rosgidromet. The assessment is based on the comparison of samples taken within the city limits with so-called background sites—areas outside the influence of industrial sources. Samples are collected annually in the summer, after which specialists analyze the content of heavy metals, petroleum products, fluorine, nitrates, sulfates, benzo(a)pyrene, and other substances. In most surveyed cities of the Volga Federal District, soils fall into the permissible category of pollution. Nizhny Novgorod is an exception: according to the Zf indicator, it received a value of 28, which corresponds to a moderately hazardous level. Characteristic pollutants include lead, zinc, and copper. At the same time, the average concentrations of industrial toxicants did not exceed the established standards. The level of sulfates also remained within permissible hygienic values. It is noted separately that there is a high content of petroleum products in the soils of the Highland part of Nizhny Novgorod. The average concentration was 597 mg/kg, with a maximum of 7941 mg/kg. In addition, cases of soil contamination with polychlorinated biphenyls, which are on the list of persistent organic pollutants of the Stockholm Convention, have been recorded in the Nizhny Novgorod region. On an 11-hectare site in the Kstovo district, the PCB content reached 0.07 mg/kg, which corresponds to 3.5 MPC. Another case was identified there with a value of 0.06 mg/kg, or 3.0 MPC. It was previously reported that in Nizhny Novgorod, one case of extremely high air pollution was recorded in 2024. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+