The settling of combustion products in the form of soot.” Moscow region authorities say there was no oil rain

Meduza — LIVE:

Residents of the Moscow region are reporting an “oil rain.” In Zheleznodorozhny outside Moscow, residents noticed traces on windowsills, cars, and other surfaces after the rain that looked like petroleum products or soot, the channel Ostorozhno, Moskva writes. @meduzalive

“The settling of combustion products in the form of soot.” Moscow region authorities said there was no oil rain (but advised people not to go outside)

“No ‘oil rain’ fell anywhere in the region. In Balashikha, people observed the settling of combustion products in the form of soot, the same kind that forms in a stove or campfire. In the urban districts of Kotelniki, Reutov, Lyubertsy, and Balashikha, 39 stationary atmospheric air monitoring posts have been set up. They take samples for eight indicators online. No exceedances of maximum permissible concentrations have been recorded,” the regional Ministry of Ecology said (quote via msk1.ru)

At the same time, the agency advised residents to “minimize their time outdoors; without urgent necessity, they should not leave the premises.”

When going outside, residents should use special masks: “a folded cloth or gauze, which can be moistened, is best.” The ministry also advised not to open windows, “at least at night and early in the morning.”

@meduzalive