The new regulations will come into force from 2030 and will be more in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization. The goal is to reduce the number of deaths caused by pollution. It is estimated that across Europe, polluted air is responsible for up to 300,000 deaths per year. Although the fight to improve air quality in Poland has been going on for years and is bringing results, it is still not good. The replacement of the so-called “dummies” is too slow.
In the center of Krakow before noon the breathing rate was average. – “I'm not really breathing well today”, “I'm so overwhelmed”, “We'll see what it will be like in winter” – we hear in Krakow.
Although the situation is improving every year, in order to breathe better, EU countries voted on Monday to adopt new, more restrictive air quality standards. They will be in force from 2030.
The new standards will be closer to the recommendations of the World Health Organization. They will replace the previous ones, adopted 20 years ago. – It was actually a compromise between what had been used so far, i.e. much less demanding standards, and the recommendations of the World Health Organization – says Anna Dworakowska from the Krakow Smog Alert.
What do the new regulations assume?
For example: when it comes to the most harmful type of dust – PM 2.5 – at the moment, EU standards allow its average annual concentration to be 20 micrograms per cubic meter. From 2030, it will be 10 micrograms per cubic meter. This is still above the WHO recommendations, which set the standard at five micrograms per cubic meter.
– There is no level of air pollution that is safe for our health. In other words, zero pollution is ideal – comments Piotr Siergiej from the Polish Smog Alert.
Poland still has a problem with polluted air. Which cities fare the worst?Magda Łucyan/Fakty TVN
The current standards for PM10 dust and nitrogen dioxide are 40 micrograms per cubic meter. From 2030, it will be 20 micrograms per cubic meter.
– We have examples of cities where air quality has improved dramatically in recent years, so yes, it is possible. More importantly, it is socially desirable – emphasizes Mikołaj Gumulski from Greenpeace Polska.
The key is to replace the “dummies”
Clean air experts indicate that from Poland's point of view – in order to meet the standards – it is crucial to replace as many old boilers as possible, the so-called “smokestacks”, which are the main source of dust in the air.
– There will certainly be a need for a strong commitment of both the government and local governments, and the improvement of the “Clean Air” program, which provides subsidies for replacing “smokestacks” and for insulating houses – says Anna Dworakowska.
There are still about two million “Cinderellas” in Poland, but their number is systematically decreasing. Last year, 220,000 out-of-class boilers were replaced, and even more will probably be replaced this year.
– We must maintain this pace to replace the boilers by 2030. If we make it, the air quality in Poland will certainly meet the standards that have been set at the moment, which means it will be painless and without any major burden for us, the citizens, says Piotr Siergiej.
What does the Ministry of Climate and Environment do?
Experts also point to the need to reduce car exhaust emissions. The Ministry of Climate and Environment assures that it is working on solutions that will help meet EU standards.
– “Clean Air” program, we are launching new programs. We have big plans, for example, to improve the situation in the heating sector, which is also a large emitter. We have recently announced large programs related to the reduction of emissions in heavy and public transport – says Paweł Marciniak, spokesman for the Ministry of Climate and Environment.
The Ministry estimates that the proposed actions would significantly reduce pollution. – By 2030, reduce the number of dust by 66 percent and sulfur dioxide by almost 90 percent – says Paweł Marciniak.
Air pollution causes over 40,000 deaths a year in Poland. This is approximately the number of inhabitants of Kołobrzeg and Mińsk Mazowiecki.
– Dust suspended in the air penetrates the respiratory tract and spreads throughout the body. If the human body is chronically exposed to various types of harmful substances, it may also cause cancer and exacerbation of respiratory diseases – says Prof. Wojciech Naumnik, head of the 1st Department of Lung Diseases of the University Clinical Hospital in Białystok.
Throughout Europe, polluted air is responsible for up to 300,000 deaths per year.
Main photo source: TVN24