09/10/2013 00:00
TW
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PALMA is among the Spanish cities which have the cleanest air, according to the report “Air quality in towns: key to urban sustainability”.
The study was conducted in all Spanish towns with more than 100'000 inhabitants. Following Palma were Cartagena and Pamplona.
The study, presented in Madrid yesterday by the Spanish Sustainability Observatory (OSE), says that 75 percent of Spaniards live in urban surroundings which are subject to high levels of contamination, which reduces life expectancy by between a few months and two years depending on the area.

According to the report the quality of air is far from satisfactory, especially in Madrid, which is the region with the highest number of towns which exceed the annual limit established for contamination.

The increase in the use of private transport and industrial activity have between them made many towns exceed the contamination limits.
In spite of the fact that, in absolute terms, the air has improved due to stricter regulations, industries leaving towns and a decrease in sulphur dioxide, the established limits are “continually exceeded” and the contamination readings are persistently high. The secretary general for the Prevention of Contamination and Climate Change, Arturo Gonzalo Aizpiri, said that an “enormous effort” is required by the public administrations to decrease this contamination, as well as public understanding and political will.

Using data from 2005, the report indicates that the very fine contaminating particles (under 2.5 micros), which are the “most dangerous”, have increased as a result of the use of diesel engines, which have a great impact on health.

The fine particles (under 10 micros) are showing a slight decrease thanks to a greater control on combustion processes in towns, and a change of fuel from coal to natural gas.

The amount of nitrogen dioxide in the air has also risen, 13 towns exceed the limit established for 2010. Among them are Cordoba, Zaragoza and Sabadell.