Polluted air is considered the most important public health problem related to environmental pollution. For the last twenty years, particulate matter (PM), ozone and nitrogen oxides have been recognized as the most important pollutants in the ambient air in the European Union, especially particulate matter and ozone in Slovenia. Polluted air is considered the most important public health problem related to environmental pollution. For the last twenty years, particles (PM), ozone and nitrogen oxides have been identified as the most important pollutants in the ambient air in the European Union, especially particles and ozone in Slovenia.
Health consequences depend on the duration of exposure and the concentration of pollutants. Exposure to particle-polluted air has been proven to cause pathological changes in many organ systems and shorten people's lifespan. The consequences are manifested by the development of respiratory, cardiovascular and vascular diseases, connections with certain neurological and metabolic diseases, effects on the development of the fetus have been established. Air polluted by particulate matter (PM) is carcinogenic.
Patients with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, diabetics, the elderly, children and pregnant women are most at risk. In Slovenia, we monitor the proportion of children under the age of 15 who are exposed to elevated concentrations of particles (PM10) in the outdoor air. The goal is that no child would be exposed to air polluted with particles above the limit set as still acceptable by the WHO (20 µg/m3).
Figure 8: Exposure of children (0-15 years) to PM10 in ambient air. Environmental indicators, ARSO.
A review of the data for Slovenia shows that the pollution of the outdoor air with particles is decreasing, but the limit values are still exceeded. In smaller places, in closed valleys, especially due to individual fireplaces, in larger cities due to traffic. Data for the period 2008-2017 show that the largest proportion of children between the ages of 0 and 15 were on average exposed to concentrations between 21 and 30 µg PM10/m3, which is above WHO recommendations. Asthma is the most common cause of hospitalization for children under the age of 15. In general, the risk of developing asthma in children living 75 m from a busy road is about 50% higher than in children living at least 150 m away.
Why is this important for local communities?
Since the sources of emissions, in addition to intensive traffic, are mainly individual fireplaces, the local community can make a significant contribution to improving the situation with its policies, as well as each individual in their environment.
How can local communities help their residents?
By accepting and harmonizing the goals of local environmental protection programs, integrated transport strategies and energy concepts, local communities can contribute to reducing air pollution and improving people's health. Individuals contribute to the reduction of air pollution by making a personal decision regarding the heating and travel method, and to protect their health by following the recommendations for behavior on days with excessively polluted air.
Global forecasts show that air pollution in the urban environment will continue to increase. Heat islands will also contribute to this, which will further threaten the health of the inhabitants. Immediate intensive action to improve air quality is therefore necessary at all levels.
More information:
- NIJZ, Elevated levels of PM10 particles in the air - Recommendations for residents, available at: http://www.nijz.si/sl/povisane-ravni-delcev-pm10-v-zraku-priporocila-za-prebivalce
- ARSO, Kazalci – Environmental health (ZD 02, ZD 03), available at: http://kazalci.arso.gov.si/
Prepared by: cf. M.Sc. Simona Uršič, Ph.D. med., spec. of public health.
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