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Ecologists in Action emphasizes that the report of the World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality in 1,600 cities around the world reveals that Cartagena is configured as one of the most polluted towns microparticles PM2, 5 in the Spanish state, with 14 micrograms per cubic meter on average per year, 4 more than the value set by WHO as limit contamination level of these microparticles.
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is a major environmental risk to health and is estimated to cause around two and a half premature deaths annually worldwide million.
The WHO recommended values, based on the weight of scientific evidence, are more stringent, particularly preventative and differ legal limits regarding microparticles suspended PM2, 5 (25 micrograms/m3 to 10 micrograms / m3) .
Ecologists in Action recalls that in the region know the actual gravity of these particles, since, as has already denounced on several occasions, there is a lack of data on pollution PM2, 5 in the country, measured only in Cartagena.
So spent years suing public information in real time, on the values ​​of these microparticles and its annual average in each area, which currently has no response from the competent authorities.
In fact, five years after the Ombudsman made a number of recommendations to the regional government, following complaints of this organization, we still have many gaps and absences public information data on pollutants such as microparticle PM2, May.
But mostly, Ecologists in Action report truancy precautionary measures and the inexplicable lack of development of a Plan to Improve Air Quality, the draft has not even been officially presented to the social partners, and its processing drag unwarranted delay means delaying the implementation thereof.
The PM2 5 microparticles are less than or equal to 2.5 microns, ie diameter, are 100 times thinner than a human hair.
Its origin is mainly anthropogenic sources such as vehicle emissions (especially diesel engines) or certain industrial activities.
When inhaled, they can reach the peripheral regions of the bronchioles and alter the pulmonary system.
By having a very small diameter, penetrate deeper into the lungs and be composed of toxic elements such as heavy metals and organic compounds, microparticles PM2, 5 may have more severe effects on public health.
In fact the WHO alert on the close relationship between breathing polluted air and respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular accidents (stroke) and lung cancer.
Environmental pollution is a few months ago in the (highest) level 1 of the substances for which no scientific doubt about their relationship with cancer, according to IARC (WHO agency investigating cancer).
A study conducted in the EU, Aphekom Project 1 estimated that reducing exposure to PM2, 5 to reach the recommended by WHO (10 micrograms/m3) in 25 European cities level could rise 22 months life expectancy every citizen 30 years of age, depending on the city and its current level of contamination.
In our country, the regional and local governments are required to develop Action Plans to reduce the values ​​of air pollutants, as required by state regulations on assessment and management of air quality.
However, despite constant warnings from WHO and the extensive scientific evidence of seriousness of this public health problem in our region are not taking steps to reduce pollution of the air we breathe measures absolutely irresponsible and incomprehensible.
Ecologists in Action requires the regional government to adopt and implement as a Regional Plan for the reduction of air pollution, addressing all contaminants and adapted to the particularities of each municipality, and that will have to be closely linked to mobility plans local and regional, as motorized traffic is one of the major contributors to air pollution in the cities of the region.
They also urge dissemination campaigns, education and public awareness in relation to the problems involved in air pollution.
Source: Ecologistas en Acción
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