Bulgaria on Alert over High Dust Levels

Environment | December 22, 2010, Wednesday // 13:18|  views

Dust levels in several Bulgarian towns, including Kardzhali (pictured), have remained above the norm throughout December. Photo by BGNES

Dust levels in the air in the capital Sofia, the town of Pernik, twenty kilometres south of Sofia, and the town of Kardzhali, Southern Bulgaria, have hit record highs over the last twenty days, the executive environmental agency said on Wednesday.

Readings of harmful particles levels at specific points in Sofia beat the norm of 50 microgram per cubic metre 5.5 times and 4.8 times in the towns of Pernik and Kardzhali, the agency said.

Experts have attributed the abnormally high pollution levels in the Bulgarian capital to the blanket of fog, road traffic and industrial emissions. They have warned that this could lead to lung diseases, including asthma and cancer.

EU standard values for fine dust say a maximum of 50 microgram per cubic meter may be exceeded on up to 35 days per year, leaving the Bulgarian capital with no chance to comply.

Residents of the capital have even started wearing altered surgical masks to protect themselves from the poisonous dust in the city.

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Tags: dust, pollution, sofia, Pernik, Kardzhali

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