Daisy Montero
Have you ever thought about the most polluted cities in Europe? Well, they truly exist, and their air quality might surprise you.
Pollution is a subject of concern, particularly in health, and some people in Europe are having a hard time experiencing clean air. The pollutants observed in these cities are mainly from different industries, transport systems, and home heating systems.
If you want to visit Europe, you may want to avoid these polluted cities for your perfect and healthy travel adventure.
1. Pljevlja, Montenegro
Pljevlja is amongst some of the most polluted cities due to the presence of its coal-fired power plant and the use of coal in most homes for heating. What makes the situation even worse is that it lies in a valley, which causes the air pollution to stay.
As a result, the residents end up suffering from respiratory diseases. The prolonged air pollution also impacts the residents’ quality of living and overall well-being, the land, and other natural resources.
2. Torchiarolo, Italy
This small Italian town experienced compromised air quality due to agricultural burning and industrial emissions. Biomass is also frequently used for heating, which exposes people to large amounts of particulate matter.
Thus, it occasionally experiences smog and low air quality. Due to these factors, residents have developed some health complications, especially respiratory-related illnesses.
3. Tuzla, Bosnia Herzegovina
Major pollutants in Tuzla rely heavily on the industry, particularly fire power plants. The sulfur and particulate matter increase, which makes it common in the city.
It is dangerous to residents’ lives and has been known to lead to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, due to continuous pollution from industries, the environment has also been affected, such as soil and water pollution.
4. Zenica, Bosnia Herzegovina
The dark side of its industrialization is that Zenica is now one of the most polluted cities in Europe, mainly due to the heavy steel industry. Factory emissions exceed the limits of safe emissions, causing a hazardous impact on air quality.
It often experiences smog, which is more prevalent during the winter season. As a result, pollution consequences have included a higher incidence of illness in the population, primarily respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
5. Ceglie Messapica, Italy
Stubble burning and other farming activities are major causes of air pollution in Ceglie Messapica. To make the situation worse, industrial emissions contribute to high rates of air pollution.
It is released into the environment, which affects the health of residents in the city. Air pollution is still a persistent problem in Ceglie Messapica, which proves the need for collaboration among industries, farmers, and the government to adopt measures of environmental protection and emissions reductions.
6. Bijelo Polje, Montenegro
Air pollution is an issue in Bijelo Polje because coal burning is used for heating during winter. Pollution levels often exceed what is recommended.
This leads to the growth of respiratory diseases among the population. The attempts to shift to cleaner energy sources have been hampered by economic problems, which indicate that coal and pollution remain a problem in the city.
7. Strumica, North Macedonia
The city of Strumica is polluted due to industrial emissions and agricultural activities. The use of coal and wood is what contributes to poor air quality.
If these activities continue, it will surely affect the residents’ health and well-being. The absence of environmental laws intensifies the problem, since emissions continue to rise, thus adding a health hazard to air pollution in the city.
8. Cacak, Serbia
Industrial activities and vehicular emissions contribute to the poor air quality in Cacak. The city is exposed to manufacturing industries like metal processing and chemical production, which release large amounts of pollutants into the air.
Due to Cacak’s geographical location in a valley, the pollution stays within the city. It poses a threat to the health and well-being of the residents.
9. Tetovo, North Macedonia
Tetovo suffers from extreme air pollution, which causes the residents’ health to be compromised. Industrial activities, such as metal processing, cement production, and textile manufacturing, emit pollutants.
The geographical location of Tevoto, with the mountainous region surrounding it, creates a problem of pollution control as the valley traps it. The city often records PM10 and PM2.5 levels well above the safe limits.
10. Vranje, Serbia
The city’s pollution issues stem from industrial emissions and the use of coal for heating. Vranje’s air quality always fails to meet health standards.
This is why respiratory and cardiovascular diseases among residents continue to rise. Government and community collaboration is important to create sustainable development in the region.
11. Banja Luka, Bosnia Herzegovina
Banja Luka’s traffic and industrial emissions mainly contribute to poor air quality. Major industrial activities, such as metal processing and chemical production, release significant amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere.
The city often experiences high levels of air pollutants, especially during winter when household heating worsens the issue. This impacts people’s health and can lead to respiratory illnesses.
12. Doboj, Bosnia Herzegovina
Doboj, with its concentration of industrial facilities and transportation, is one of the most polluted cities in Bosnia Herzegovina. Different factories and industrial plants within the city release various pollutants.
Emissions elevate in winter since people use heating and combustion to warm their homes. Pollution causes health hazards, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
13. Novi Grad, Bosnia Herzegovina
The air quality in Novi Grad is due to metal processing and chemical manufacturing, which are responsible for the pollutants in the air. Pollution levels often exceed limits, especially in winter.
Novi Grad often experiences incidents of smog, which affects the visibility and quality of air in the city. People in the region experience health issues, such as asthma and bronchitis.
14. Bihac, Bosnia Herzegovina
Bihac’s pollution comes from industrial waste emissions and the use of solid fuel for heating. The pollution increases during the winter season due to the use of wood and coal for heating the houses, which releases particulate matter and some other pollutants.
Environmental pollution from traffic emissions comes from the increasing number of vehicles on the roads. Bihac’s location also traps pollutants from escaping and staying in the region, which negatively affects its air quality.
15. Hanoi, Bosnia Herzegovina
The air quality in Hanoi is relatively poor because of the emissions from factories and the use of coal for heating in residential homes, particularly in the winter. The pollution also comes from the practice of agricultural burning in neighboring rural areas.
These activities result in poor air quality in the city. It affects the health of the residents as cases of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases escalate.
16. Sokolac, Bosnia Herzegovina
Several factors contribute to Sokolac’s air pollution, such as emissions from industries and the utilization of coal for household use. Local industries, such as wood processing and other small manufacturing units, produce pollution in the city.
This problem usually occurs during the winter season, as the use of coal and wood to heat every home increases. The city is also surrounded by mountains, which can trap pollutants and pollute the air.
17. Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina
The capital city faces serious air pollution from traffic, industrial emissions, and the extensive use of coal and wood for heating. These activities release high levels of harmful particles and gasses into the air.
Air quality often reaches dangerous levels, particularly in winter when heating needs are high. It means that the city needs to reduce pollution to protect the health of its residents.
18. Ilijas, Bosnia Herzegovina
Industries and independent heating with coal and wood in households are the major contributors to pollution in Ilijas. The city’s air pollution is high, especially during the winter season when heating activities occur more often.
Its effects have had devastating impacts on the health of the people living in the region. The city needs further action to address the issue and improve the air quality in Ilijas.
19. Gornji Milanovac, Serbia
In Gornji Milanovac, air pollution is a problem due to emissions from industrial facilities and the use of solid fuels for heat supply. The metal processing industries and manufacturing plants contribute to the pollution in the atmosphere.
Pollution is usually high during the winter season. This is because more people use solid fuels like coal and wood to heat their homes.
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