Because of increased concentrations of lead, dust, sulphur dioxide and hydrocarbons output by the Kremikovtzi metal processing plant, the monthly sanction of 107 000 leva currently paid by the plant would be increased, the Sofia Regional Inspectorate on Environment and Waters said on January 7.

The new amount of the eco-fine would be set, based on the results of the second control measuring of the Kremikovtzi harmful substances emissions, carried out in late 2007, mediapool.bg said.

The measurements found increased amount of lead in dust coming from Kremikovtzi's machines. The amount of dust emitted by the different metallurgical production processes was between 1.8 and 10 times higher than rates allowed. As far as sulphur dioxide and hydrocarbons were concerned, the amounts exceeded the rates allowed by up to 1.4 times.

Kremikovtzi management, however, announced that it had informed the Ministry of Environment and Water Affairs on December 19, 2007 there were discrepancies between the analysis' results and the real conditions, mediapool.bg said.

Therefore Kremikovtzi requested new measurements from the Inspectorate to clarify the discrepancies.

In order for society to receive impartial information on the condition of the air in the region, French company EnviroConsult would very soon start constant measurements of the plant's emissions, representatives of Kremikovtzi announced as reported by mediapool.bg.