A new study on air quality, which examines not only the concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM) but also a new measurement factor, the oxidative potential (OP) of the particles, places Athens among the European cities with the highest OP levels, according to Kathimerini.
Athens ranked among the six areas with the highest OP in coarse particles (PM10) out of 34 locations measured across 10 different countries, and among the three most polluted for fine particles (PM2.5), which are smaller and more hazardous.
In Greece, more than 10,000 deaths each year are linked to particulate matter (PM) pollution.
Pollution sources that increase oxidative potential include vehicle exhaust and wood burning in fireplaces, which release 30 times more pollutants than a central heating burner in an apartment building and pose a greater health risk than, for example, Saharan dust. Under conditions of oxidative stress, cell damage can occur, potentially leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
It is worth noting that, according to other studies, more than 10,000 deaths in Greece each year are associated with high concentrations of airborne particulates, with wood burning considered the most harmful source to human health.
Source: Kathimerini
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