Bratislava should attempt to reduce the traffic in its streets to protect the health of its citizens, says Hanna Rhein from Deutsche Umwelthilfe. (source: Cyklokoalícia/Marek Záhradník)
Air pollution in Bratislava is worse than the official data suggest, shows a monitoring by the German organisation Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH).
The organisation, which came to Bratislava upon an invitation from the Cyklokoalícia (which fights for better cycling infrastructure) and Znepokojené Matky (climate change initiative) initiatives measured air pollution in several locations of Bratislava.
For example, they looked at the air quality on the stretch from Hodža Square through Štefánikova and Šancova Streets up to the Račianske Mýto crossroad. Air pollution was also measured at the Trnavské Mýto crossroad, on Vazovova Street and near the main bus station.
“The results show really high values of nitrogen oxide and ultrafine particles, which pose a health risk,” said Hanna Rhein from DUH, adding that Bratislava should attempt to reduce the traffic in its streets to protect the health of its citizens.
In Europe, more than 400,000 people die prematurely as a result of air pollution. In Slovakia, there are 5,000 premature deaths per year.
Last year, the Slovak Environment Inspectorate (SIŽP) said the traffic is the main source of air pollution in Bratislava, followed by big plants. SIŽP named the Slovnaft refinery, Volkswagen, as well as the Bratislava incinerator.
Worst air quality not at a busy crossroad
Cyklokoalícia President Dan Kollár has said that the city could build cycling infrastructure, improve public mass transport or reduce the maximum permitted speed.
“We have solutions. We just need the courage to enforce them,” said Ivana Némethová from Znepokojené Matky.
As the Sme daily points out, air at Trnavské Mýto, a major transport hub, is not the most polluted area in Bratislava. Dust particles and harmful substances disperse in the wide open space, the daily notes. The situation is significantly worse in narrower streets, such as Štefánikova and Šancova, where the permitted concentrations are exceeded several times, the DUH monitoring shows.
The monitoring will continue in the other 25 locations in the city. The results will be published in May.
As of July 2023, a new law on air protection is in force. It strengthens the competences of municipalities, among other things. They can prohibit certain activities on their territory that would negatively affect air quality. They can also create low-emission zones, which will enable them to regulate road traffic.
