| POLLUTIONPOLLUTION | WARSAW WAW | KRAKÓW KRK | WROCŁAW WRO | TRI-CITY GDN | KATOWICE KTW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozone O3 (µg/m3) | 22,4 | 18,45 | 19,9 | 30,2 | 24,66 |
| Nitrogen Dioxide NO2 (µg/m3) | 51 | 40,27 | 31 | 19,83 | 24,66 |
| Carbon Monoxide CO (mg/m3) | 0,66 | 1 | 0,54 | 0,50 | 0,69 |
| Benzene C6H6 (µg/m3) | 0,80 | 2,60 | 0,60 | 1,74 | 6,40 |
| Sulphur Dioxide SO2 (µg/m3) | 12,40 | 7,33 | 5,15 | 9,60 | 17,86 |
| Benzo pyrene C20H12 (ng/m3) | 0,58 | 5,81 | 0,95 | 4,47 | 5,27 |
| PM10 particles PM10 particles (µg/m3) | 42,24 | 53,25 | 39 | 19,66 | 58,33 |
| PM2.5 particles PM2.5 particles (µg/m3) | 30,64 | 39,40 | 30 | 3,80 | 34 |
Ozone (O3) Tropospheric Ozone (O3). Formed by the sun's rays in air polluted with nitrogen oxides (such as NO2) and hydrocarbons (which in Poland are several times above the norm). It is irritating to the respiratory system, aggravates the symptoms of people suffering from asthma and lung disease. Even one part of this gas per million parts of air is poisonous to humans.
NO2 – is derived almost entirely from road transport. It causes damage to the lungs, reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen and can cause cancer.
CO – is produced mostly by industry and transport. It prevents the normal transport of oxygen in the blood, which can lead to a significant reduction in oxygen supply to the heart. Contact with high concentrations of carbon monoxide leads to poisoning, coma and even death.
Benzene (C6H6) is toxic in large quantities. In smaller - it causes nausea, vomiting, lowers levels of white blood cells and destroys the bone marrow. It is present in smog and passes from the lungs into the blood and from there to the fat tissue.
SO2 – is generated by the combustion of sulphur-contaminated solid and liquid fuels (such as coal or oil) in internal combustion engines and coal-fired furnaces. It causes irritation of the upper respiratory tract. Even moderate levels of SO2 can cause a decrease in lung function in asthmatics.
C20H12 - A carcinogenic chemical compound found in cigarette smoke among other things. In smog it is created mainly by burning coal, plastic waste, as well as by fuel burned in diesel engines.
Particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns (one micron is a thousandth of a millimeter). Derives from the burning of coal and waste, as well as in vehicles with diesel engines. It penetrates deep into the respiratory system, carrying hazardous particles. The contaminants have negative effects on child development, even prenatally, and also lead to lung cancer and heart attacks.
Particulate matter 2.5 microns in diameter (a micrometer is one thousandth of a millimeter). The most harmful element in pollution. It is so small that it easily passes from the lungs into the blood.
1 microgrammes of pollutants in air
per m3
15
Equivalent of cigarettes per person smoked in a day just by breathing polluted air in Warsaw.