Bad news: Budapest and Hungarian cities struggle with alarming air pollution levels

Hungarian cities and towns did not perform well in the latest air quality rankings published by the European Environment Agency (EEA), with Budapest standing out for its high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in the atmosphere.

Budapest and Hungarian towns polluted

Budapest stands out for its high levels of fine particulate matter pollution in the atmosphere. Photo: Alpár Kató / Daily News Hungary

According to the EEA’s recent report, Budapest ranks 242nd out of 372 European cities in terms of air pollution. Other Hungarian cities also scored poorly, with Pécs taking 246th place, Veszprém in 254th, Szeged in 274th, and Győr at 295th.

These rankings are based on the concentration of PM2.5 particles in the air, a metric that reflects long-term exposure risks to human health. A lower rank means cleaner air, and unfortunately, the higher positions of Hungarian cities highlight the significant pollution problem they face.

The focus on PM2.5 particles is due to their harmful nature, Világgazdaság reports. These tiny particles, which can be as small as 2.5 microns in diameter, are considered the most dangerous among common pollutants. They can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, leading to serious health issues like respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

In Hungary, poor air quality is linked to around 10,000 premature deaths annually, alongside approximately one million cases of illness each year.

The majority of these health impacts are preventable if actions are taken to curb pollution.

Urgent changes are needed in Europe

The report used data from the last two calendar years, as long-term exposure is typically the most dangerous. Constant exposure to polluted air over time increases the risk of chronic diseases and early death. In 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) revised its air quality guidelines, recommending that annual average PM2.5 concentrations should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

This is significantly stricter than the European Union’s current target, which allows for up to 25 micrograms per cubic meter. The discrepancy highlights the need for urgent changes to European policies if the continent is to meet global health standards.

“There are countless preventable deaths and illnesses tied to air pollution, which could be avoided if policymakers took decisive action. It’s perplexing why there’s been so much delay in implementing well-known solutions, many of which could rapidly lower pollution levels,” said Judit Szegő, project manager at the Clean Air Action Group. She emphasised that household heating is one of the largest sources of pollution in Hungary.

The biggest sources of pollution in Hungary

Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach, including large-scale public awareness campaigns, financial support for heating alternatives for those in need, and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations.

Szegő also pointed out that tackling traffic-related pollution is another key area where significant progress could be made. “Introducing low-emission zones, creating more 30 km/h speed limit areas, and reforming parking regulations could all contribute to reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality in cities,” she noted.

Meanwhile, the European Union is in the process of reviewing its air quality policies. The goal of this revision is to bring EU regulations in line with the WHO’s updated guidelines, potentially leading to stricter rules for member states, including Hungary. If adopted, these changes could play a critical role in improving the air quality across Europe, protecting public health, and reducing the number of premature deaths linked to pollution.

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