On Friday, the air quality in the southwest of the country left much to be desired. The situation is the worst in Opole; residents of Wrocław, Racibórz, Częstochowa, Kalisz and Zduńska Wola also breathe heavily polluted air. The Government Security Center sent an alert to the residents of the Kłodzko Valley and the border of Silesia and the Opole region.
Current data on air quality in Poland is provided by the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection. According to data collected on Friday between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. in Opole, the level of suspended dust PM10 is 194.30 µg/m3, and PM2.5 – 184.20 µg/m3. The permissible daily limit for these substances is 50 and 25 µg/m3, respectively.
Other cities that glow red on the GIOS map on Friday morning include Wrocław (PM2.5: 69.10 µg/m3, PM10: 75.70 µg/m3), Kalisz (PM2.5: 82.70 µg /m3, PM10: 89.30 µg/m3), Starachowice (PM10: 95.30 µg/m3, PM2.5: 75.60 µg/m3) and Racibórz (PM10: 116.90 µg/m3, PM2.5: 116.50 µg/m3).
Residents of voivodeship capitals have fewer reasons to complain, except for Wrocław. In Poznań, the concentration of PM10 ranges from 15.10 µg/m3 to 31.30 µg/m3 depending on the station, in Kraków it is from 40.60 µg/m3 to 53.20 µg/m3, and in Katowice from 46.10 µg/m3 to 63.90 µg/m3. Sensors in the north of the country show “good” and “very good” air quality.
How to deal with smog?
Suspended dust is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets that remain in the air. These particles may contain, for example: sulfur and nitrogen compounds, organic compounds (including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), heavy metals, dioxins and allergens (such as plant pollen and fungal spores). PM10 dust contains particles with a diameter not exceeding 10 micrometers.
PM2.5 are particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, which is why they easily enter the lungs and pose the greatest threat to human health. They are released by pollution from factories and as a result of the operation of internal combustion engines.
For protection against smog The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate presented a number of precautions to be taken on “smog days”. These include wearing anti-dust masks, limiting physical activity outside the home and airing apartments, as well as using air purifiers.
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