Norilsk Nickel has worked consistently to reduce emissions of major air pollutants. In 2006, the company reported investment of more than US$5m to maintain and overhaul its dust and gas recovery and removal systems. It asserts a commitment of nearly US$1.4m for its air pollution prevention plan. However, official statistics state that emissions remain extremely high. In 2006, international non-for-profit organization Blacksmith Institute declared Norilsk Nickel one of the top-10 most polluted places in the world. NN wrote a protest letter but state of affairs was left unchanged. Local environmental experts report that although there have been some reductions in pollution levels, levels of SO2, HS, phenol, formaldehyde, but dust had increased; levels of nickel and copper had increased by 50%. Morbidity rates are stable and death rates are decreasing.