Smog Alert: In Poland we still breathe very polluted air.

In Poland, we still breathe highly polluted air, Andrzej Guła, president of the Polish Smog Alert, emphasized in an interview with PAP, commenting on the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection's (GIOŚ) report on air quality in the country. He added that the increase in particulate matter pollution is alarming.

Last week, the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (GIOŚ) published a report on air quality in Poland for 2024. According to it, air quality has improved "in terms of average annual concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, the main source of which in cities is road traffic, especially diesel engines."

However, according to Andrzej Guła, president of the Polish Smog Alert (PAS), air quality in the country has generally not improved, and in some cases has even worsened. "For example, particulate matter pollution increased by 7% in 2024. This is a very worrying phenomenon," Guła said. He cautioned that it is unclear whether this is a result of meteorology or a trend related to, for example, the increased use of solid fuels for heating buildings.

Guła emphasized that Poland "is still one of the most polluted (by smog - PAP) countries in Europe," and that 50,000 people die prematurely every year due to poor air quality in Poland. "The data presented by the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (...) should alarm those responsible for air protection policy in Poland, namely the Ministry of Climate and Environment," Guła added.

He pointed out that carcinogenic compounds, such as heavy metals and hydrocarbons, including benzoalphapyrene, attach to particulate matter. "In the case of benzoalphapyrene, we are observing stagnation, not improvement, even though the amount of this substance in Polish air is an absolute record in Europe," Guła emphasized. Benzoalphapyrene is a carcinogenic and mutagenic substance, primarily associated with heating homes with solid fuels, such as coal and wood.

The PAP spokesman pointed out that the GIOŚ report refers to the currently applicable air quality standards, although these – in accordance with the directive adopted by the European Parliament – are to become more stringent in 2030. "We are very far from the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. In the case of PM10 particulate matter, the current annual average standard in Poland is 40 micrograms per cubic meter of air, while the EU directive in 2030 is to introduce 20 micrograms, which is half as much. However, the WHO indicates that PM10 pollution should not exceed 15 micrograms," Guła explained.

The PAS president noted that the main source of air pollution in Poland is emissions from buildings heated with coal and wood in so-called "smokers," or outdated heating devices. "In urban centers, this is compounded by pollution from transport, i.e., car traffic," he said. He also drew attention to industry, although he emphasized that equipping factories and combined heat and power plants with electrostatic precipitators in recent years has reduced these emissions.

According to Guła, for Poland to meet EU standards by 2030, it is crucial to revitalize the thermal modernization program for single-family homes, including the "Clean Air" program. He believes the decline in interest in the program is due to the way the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) reformed the program.

"Clean Air" returned in March of this year after a four-month hiatus caused by irregularities detected in the program. The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) reported that approximately 270 reports of irregularities in the program's implementation were received by the prosecutor's office and the police. During the hiatus, the NFOŚiGW introduced reforms to the program. For example, the thermal modernization grant can be received for one home, and proof of ownership or co-ownership of the property for at least three years (excluding inheritances) is required. Some investments require operators to be present from start to finish, carrying out the thermal modernization work alongside the homeowners, and maximum costs for individual investment components are also specified.

Guła assessed that the controversy surrounding the program created an atmosphere in which fraud and scams were common. "This was not the case at all. Approximately one million households have already benefited from the program, and the vast majority of them now enjoy a clean source of heat, an insulated home, and lower electricity bills," he emphasized.

He also pointed out that it's also crucial to implement a quality control system for fuels sold to households, such as pellets. "Pellet burned in modern devices is contaminated and contains hazardous substances. This causes massive air pollution," explained the head of PAS.

In a press release, the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (GIOŚ) explained that, in fulfillment of its legal obligation, it conducted an air quality assessment for 2024 and, based on this assessment, classified zones for each pollutant separately according to specific criteria. A total of 46 zones were assessed. The average annual permissible level of air pollution with nitrogen dioxide was exceeded in two zones (Kraków and Katowice), compared to four the previous year. "Average annual sulfur dioxide concentrations also decreased," the Inspectorate added.

The Inspectorate reported that the results also show that the concentration of benzo(a)pyrene in PM10 particulate matter remained at a similar level to 2023. It also noted that these concentrations reached the lowest level since uniform assessments were conducted according to EU criteria. "The year 2024, compared to 2023, was characterized by slightly higher particulate matter concentrations. The average annual limit for PM2.5 particulate matter and the average annual limit for PM10 particulate matter were met. The average daily limit for PM10 particulate matter was exceeded in three voivodeships: Silesia, Lesser Poland, and Lower Silesia," the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection reported.

Jacek Stankiewicz (PAP)

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