Ajit Niranjan reports for The Guardian that the North Macedonian capital is a PM2.5 hotspot where people live in fear for their health. Is there hope of change?
In a nutshell:
Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, faces a severe PM2.5 air pollution crisis, with three of Europe's most polluted districts. Factors like dirty fuel, urban design, and geographic features contribute to this problem. Research estimates the societal cost of Skopje's air pollution to be between €0.5bn and €1.5bn, emphasizing the need for preventive measures. Citizens express concerns for their health, particularly the vulnerable, and the pollution's impact on emigration, the economy and tourism. To address this crisis, experts call for cleaner heating, stricter industrial and traffic controls, and urban planning that prioritizes air quality.
Key quote:
Niranjan notes that a study in 2018 found the air in Skopje was so clogged with pollutants that residents died two to three years earlier on average than they would without this “largely preventable” environmental factor.
The big picture:
PM2.5 air pollution, prevalent in Skopje, poses grave health risks and environmental consequences. These fine particles can infiltrate the respiratory system, entering the bloodstream and causing cardiovascular and respiratory ailments. Studies indicate reduced life expectancy due to exposure to PM2.5 pollution, emphasizing its significant impact on public health. Environmentally, PM2.5 contributes to haze, reduced visibility and can harm ecosystems and water bodies, leading to adverse ecological effects.
Read the article in The Guardian.
Just last year, EHN reporter Kristina Marusic detailed a study indicating that air pollution takes 2.2 years off global average life expectancy.
