BREATHE SMART: UNDERSTANDING AIR POLLUTION AND STAYING SAFE

Analysis and the Greek case

by Inna Petrovska

Have you ever wondered why all of a sudden you start coughing or experience unexplained headaches during the day/while in the city? The air you breathe might be the culprit.

Air pollution is a significant environmental challenge in modern cities, affecting both the environment and residents’ health. Thessaloniki, like many large urban areas, faces high pollution levels from various sources, including transportation and industrial emissions. However, some causes and effects aren’t immediately apparent.

This article explores Thessaloniki’s air pollution levels, the factors behind its fluctuations, hidden contributors to the problem, and ways to protect your health.

Air quality level explained

The air you breathe directly affects your health and daily life, changing frequently like the weather. The OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050 warns that air pollution will become the leading environmental cause of premature death, surpassing unclean water and poor sanitation.

Adjusting your activities on high-pollution days is a key way to protect your health. The Air Quality Index (AQI) can help you easily identify days with clean air and those with harmful pollutant levels.

AQI measures air pollution levels, using ground sensors and satellite data. It indicates health risks from pollutants like ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10).

The AQI scale ranges from 0 to 500, with six categories:

• Good (0-50)

• Moderate (51-100)

• Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150)

• Unhealthy (151-200)

• Very Unhealthy (201-300)

• Hazardous (301+).

Terminology of polluted air

The pollutants used to measure air quality include PM2.5, PM10, and ground-level ozone (O3).

PM2.5 are fine particles (2.5 micrometers or smaller) produced by combustion (vehicles, power plants, industry), atmospheric chemical reactions, wood burning, and forest fires. When it comes to PM10, they are slightly larger (up to 10 micrometers), coming from construction dust, road dust, pollen, mold spores, industrial processes, and vehicle emissions, especially diesel engines.

Ground-level ozone (O3) is a trace gas in the troposphere, with an average concentration of 20–30 ppbv, reaching up to 100 ppbv in polluted areas.

Air pollution in Greece

Greece faces significant air pollution challenges, particularly in urban areas, impacting public health. Its geographic location subjects it to a variety of pollution sources, including mineral dust from Africa and the Middle East, smoke from forest fires, agricultural burning, and pollution from Mediterranean megacities. The National Observatory of Athens (NOA) plays a crucial role in monitoring air quality, operating national monitoring stations, and participating in European research initiatives to analyze atmospheric composition and forecast pollution levels.

Despite improvements in emissions, pollutant levels frequently exceed EU guidelines. The European Environment Agency (EEA) reported that between 2017 and 2021, around 90% of the urban population was exposed to PM10 and O3 levels above permissible limits. Air pollution significantly contributes to premature deaths, with nearly 10,000 lives lost due to PM2.5 and PM10 exposure, along with additional fatalities attributed to nitrogen dioxide and ozone.

Given these challenges, Greece requires high-resolution air quality forecasting services to help citizens reduce exposure to harmful pollutants and support efforts to regulate emissions for improved air quality nationwide.

Thessaloniki case

Thessaloniki’s air quality typically fluctuates between “moderate” and “unhealthy for sensitive groups” due to pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10.

Thessaloniki’s air quality typically fluctuates between “moderate” and “unhealthy for sensitive groups” due to pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10.

Recent data shows an average AQI in the 60–100 range in Thessaloniki, which is considered “moderate” to “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” However, it’s important to note that there are only a few stations measuring air quality in specific locations within the city, such as the “Aristotle University of Thessaloniki” and “AGIA SOFIA” stations. These stations typically report an average US AQI of 60, though air quality may vary significantly throughout the city, especially for those living near roads. During colder months, these statistics may increase due to the significant pollution from wood-burning stoves.

While the general public may not be severely affected, these pollutants can have serious health impacts, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions. These individuals include people with heart or lung diseases (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), older adults (who may have undiagnosed heart or lung conditions), and children.

Practical ways to protect yourself

In order to protect yourself from negative impact, it is recommended:

• Limit outdoor exercise if you’re in a sensitive group or when pollution levels are high

• Keep windows closed to prevent polluted air from entering

• Consider wearing a mask outdoors if you’re part of a sensitive group

• Use an air purifier to improve indoor air quality

• Do regular wet cleaning indoors

This precaution helps minimize exposure to potentially harmful pollutants and protect health.

To sum-up

Since air pollution is a critical issue today, it exposes many to a significant health risks. By identifying the pollutants present in our environment and regularly monitoring air quality in our hometowns, we can take proactive measures to reduce negative aftereffects and protect health over the long term.