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Date Published: 15/01/2025

Air quality crisis in the Region of Murcia caused by Saharan dust and traffic

Air pollution has soared past the acceptable limits in several municipalities in Murcia

Particle pollution, tropospheric ozone and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are causing chronic issues in the air that citizens of the Region of Murcia breathe, and not enough is being done to address the problem. This was the stark message delivered by Ecologistas en Acción on January 14 at the presentation of their 2024 air quality report.

According to the study, PM10 and PM2.5 pollution, which stem from traffic, industrial activity and agricultural burning, regularly exceeded the limit values recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In the case of PM10 particles, there was also a “significant increase in episodes of Saharan dust intrusion” last year, said the spokesperson for Ecologistas en Acción, Pedro Belmonte.

This has led to a surge in exceedances (where the pollution levels are higher than the recommendations) across almost all measuring stations. Lorca and San Basilio in Murcia were the worst-affected, with 63 and 52 episodes, respectively, according to WHO limit values of 45 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³).

Not only are these levels far too high, but they’re getting worse. The municipality of Murcia saw excesses grow by 15.6% compared to 2023 according to the recommended parameters, while in Lorca the increase was an incredible 162.5%.

Notable increases were also observed in Mompeán in the centre of Cartagena, which saw a jump from 8 episodes of poor air quality in 2023 to 22. Alcantarilla recorded 43 episodes, and Alumbres had 16, both more than doubling their previous year's figures.

This year marks the first time measuring stations have provided a comprehensive picture of PM2.5 pollution in the Region. The results are concerning, with significant excesses of the WHO's daily limit values of 15 µg/m³.

PM2.5 particles in the air are also closely related to traffic pollution and cause special concern, since “their small size allows them to reach the pulmonary alveoli and pass into the bloodstream,” explained the environmental spokesperson. San Basilio, with 128 days of exceedances; Molina, with 106, and Alcantarilla, with 83, are the stations with the highest records.

The study also revealed the daily NO2 levels were well above the threshold set by the WHO in Murcia, Alcantarilla and Cartagena. Murcia capital saw the highest number of days with high NO2 levels, directly linked to emissions from traffic.

In the face of this damning data, Ecologistas en Acción heavily criticised the ineffective Low Emission Zones in Murcia, Cartagena, Lorca and Molina del Segura and called for more action from the regional government to reduce air pollution.

In other news: Train passengers tripled in the Region of Murcia thanks to cheaper prices

Image: Pixabay

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