The Polish Smog Alarm (PAS) has released its ninth ranking of the most polluted cities, revealing that Nowa Ruda in Lower Silesia continues to lead in both the number of smog days and average PM10 levels.
Sucha Beskidzka, located in the southern Małopolska region, has the highest concentration of the carcinogenic compound benzo[a]pyrene, exceeding the permissible limit by 600 percent, according to PAS spokesperson Piotr Siergiej.
Benzo[a]pyrene is one of the most dangerous components of smog, with high concentrations also recorded in Łódź in central Poland and Silesia in the south.
The lowest levels of this chemical compound are found in the western and northwestern parts of Poland, particularly in the Lubusz and West Pomeranian regions, as well as in Podlasie in the east and Mazovia in central Poland.
Moreover, only three cities—Nowa Ruda, Sucha Beskidzka, and Nowy Targ—recorded smog days exceeding the allowable limit of 35, stated the PAS spokesperson.
The ranking of "smog record holders," based on data from the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection from the previous year, indicates that the positive effects of the fight against smog in Poland are becoming evident.
Piotr Siergiej noted that PM10 levels did not exceed the permissible annual average in any of these locations.
Locations in Poland with the Highest PM10 Levels in 2023.
Source: IAR/PAS
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