Premature deaths in Greece due to pollution-related illnesses are estimated at over 13,000 a year, this year’s air quality report by the European Environment Agency warns.
It found that in 2012, 11,100 deaths were attributed to microparticles, 780 to carbon trioxide and 1,300 to nitric oxide.
Three Greek cities – Larissa, Patra and Volos – had microparticle levels in 2013 above the EU limit of 50 mg/m3, while in Athens nitric oxide levels were well above the bloc’s 40 mg/m3 limit.
A taxation policy that encourages the use of older more polluting cars and reintroduced road tax for many low emission cars this year is nor going to help improve matters in the near future.
