site.btaFine Particulate Matter in Bulgaria's Air Exceeds Safety Limits Ever More Rarely

The number of times that the content of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in ambient air exceeded daily and yearly safety limits have decreased steadily across Bulgaria since 2020, according to data from the Executive Agency for the Environment (EAE) which were made public on Thursday. PM2.5 is the main air pollutant, and has seasonal nature.

The press release was occasioned by the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, which the world marks on September 7. It has been observed since 2020 under a resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

According to the EAE, ambient dust increases during the heating season, and therefore PM2.5 surpasses daily safety limits during that period more often than at other times of the year. The main sources of dust are domestic combustion of solid fuels in winter, industrial plants, transport and the energy sector, the Agency said.

Excessive daily PM2.5 levels were detected 21 times in 2020, and the yearly limit was exceeded once. In 2021, monitoring stations detected 14 daily excesses and no yearly excesses. In 2022, there were 12 daily excesses and, again, zero annual excesses. No daily excesses were reported between January 1 and September 4, 2023.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, air pollution is the greatest health hazard of all time, the EAE said. Over 99% of the world's population breathes unsafe air, which may have serious health implications.