Comparative analysis of atmospheric air and surface water quality standards in Ukraine and EU

The comparative analysis of environmental quality standards covers the assessment and comparison of standards and requirements established for environmental protection in Ukraine and EU countries. It covers various environmental objects such as air and water.The purpose of the study was to determine the key indicators of environmental quality and compare the standards of atmospheric air and water quality that operate in the EU countries and Ukraine.Research materials and methods. Atmospheric air and water quality standards, which are in force in the EU countries and Ukraine, were chosen as the subject of the study. The research materials are normative legal documents of Ukraine and the EU. The research methods were comparative analysis of maximum permissible concentrations of chemical substances, system analysis and the method of analogies.Research results. It was determined that for determining the quality of atmospheric air, the indicators of maximum permissible concentrations of pollutants are, in most cases, stricter, however, for example, for ozone, the quality standard in the EU is stricter for EU countries. At the same time, the main air quality index in EU countries is an integrated indicator - air quality index.For aquatic ecosystems, a comparative analysis of surface water quality standards introduced in Ukraine, EU countries and the USA (using the example of the state of Ohio) for many quality components, the EU and USA standards are stricter, especially for indicators such as: BOD, COD, chlorides, sulfates, phosphates, nitrates, nitrites, ammonium, chromium, mercury, petroleum products. However, according to indicators such as mineralization and copper, quality standards in Ukraine are stricter. There are almost identical requirements for such integrated quality indicators as pH and hardness.