Air quality in Siedlce

What is the current level of air pollution in Siedlce?

Siedlce is a city in eastern Poland in the Masovian Voivodeship. It is located between two small rivers the Muchawka and the Helenka, it is approximately 90 kilometres east of the capital, Warsaw. According to a census conducted in 2014, Siedlce had an estimated population of 78,000 people.

At the beginning of 2022, Siedlce was experiencing a period of air quality that was classified as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with a US AQI reading of 102. This United States Air Quality Index number is an internationally used set of metrics supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is used to compare the air quality in different cities throughout the world using comparable standards. It is calculated by using the levels of the six most commonly found pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide and both sizes of particulate matter, which are PM2.5 and PM10. If all six figures are not always available in which case, a level is calculated by using what data there is. There were only two of the major pollutants measured in Siedlce which were PM2.5 - 35.9 µg/m³ and PM10 - 37.5 µg/m³.

This level of PM2.5 is just over three and a half times above the recommended safe level of 10 µg/m³ as suggested by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as being an acceptable level. Although no amount of air pollution is considered to be safe.

When air pollution is classified as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” the given advice would be to remain indoors as much as possible, closing doors and windows to prevent the ingress of more polluted air. The operation of an air purifier would be beneficial if one is available, but ensure it is set to recirculate the existing air and not import more polluted air from outside. Those who are more sensitive to poor quality air should avoid venturing outside until it improves. If this is unavoidable, then a good quality face mask should be worn at all times. All types of outdoor exercise should be avoided until the air quality improves. There is a downloadable app from AirVisual.com which is suitable for all operating systems and gives the latest information regarding air quality in real-time.

Does the level of air pollution vary much throughout the year in Siedlce?

Air quality can be affected by many things, therefore it can and does change rapidly depending on the local conditions. Looking back at the 2020 figures published by IQAir.com, it can be seen that during July and August, Siedlce achieved the WHO target figure of being 10 µg/m³ or less. The respective figures were 8.7 and 10.0 µg/m³. The previous months of May and June saw “Good” air quality with figures between 10.1 and 12 µg/m³. The remaining eight months of the year returned air quality readings from the “Moderate” group with figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³. Overall, the worst month for poor quality air was March with a 27.3 µg/m³ reading.

Records for air quality were first kept in 2017 when the annual average was 22.2 µg/m³. An almost identical figure was recorded in 2018 (22 µg/m³) before a noticeable improvement in 2019 when that figure was 16.3 µg/m³. A slight improvement was recorded the following year with an annual average of 15.7 µg/m³. This figure was almost expected because it would have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as many vehicles were no longer in daily use because the offices were closed and the staff encouraged to work from home, in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus. Many factories and non-essential production units were also required to close which removed their emissions from the atmosphere, albeit on a temporary basis. Worldwide, cities reported a much better quality of air due to the general lack of traffic pollution in city centres due to the pandemic.

Is there a main source of air pollution in Siedlce?

The main sources of air pollution are natural and anthropogenic processes. The main cause of human-induced air pollution is substances in the exhaust fumes discharged from the combustion of fuels in devices.

"Low emissions" are emissions from heating homes using coal and other solid fuels, often in furnaces that do not meet any emission standards. In these furnaces, not only coal waste (sludge and fines), but also common rubbish, including plastics, can be burned. Mud and fine coal are products with a high content of sulphur, chlorine and ash. Due to the low height of chimneys in residential buildings, the emission is particularly troublesome - pollutants introduced into the air spread over a small area around the chimney.

What can be done to improve air quality in Siedlce?

It is worthwhile to anticipate the replacement of the old coal furnace, preferably for a completely different source of heating, e.g. gas. Where this is not possible, it is worth considering the use of renewable energy sources (e.g. heat pumps) or finally - an oil or coal boiler, but a high-class, modern device that allows you to use only high-quality fuels and their maximum use, which also lowers heating costs.

What are the detrimental effects of breathing in polluted air?

Sulphur dioxide has a toxic effect, most often attacks the respiratory tract and vocal cords. After penetrating the wall of the respiratory tract, it passes into the blood and further into the body. It accumulates in the walls of the trachea and bronchi, as well as in the liver, spleen, brain and lymph nodes.

High levels of sulphur dioxide can also lead to changes in the cornea of the eye. When oxidized in the presence of water vapour, they also contribute to the formation of acid rain and its damaging effects.

Nitrogen oxides have a toxic effect, reduce the body's resistance to bacterial infections, irritate the eyes and respiratory tract, cause respiratory disorders, and cause allergic diseases (including asthma). Nitrogen oxides are precursors of carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds formed in soil. When oxidized in the presence of water vapor, they also contribute to the formation of acid rain and its damaging effects.

Carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous and highly toxic. It causes severe poisoning (smoke). The brain is most sensitive to its effects. About 80% of the CO in the air is bound to haemoglobin in the blood to form carboxyhaemoglobin (HbCO), which is unable to carry oxygen, leading to tissue hypoxia. With the content of about 20 per cent HbCO in the blood, we refer to the so-called "acute cerebral syndrome" characterized by decreased alertness and discrimination, drowsiness, confusion, eventually leading to coma and death.

Benzo (α) pyrene is the main representative of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is a chemical carcinogen, shows systemic toxicity, causing damage to the adrenal glands, lymphatic, hematopoietic and respiratory systems. Toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction and dangerous to the environment. It can cause cancer, hereditary genetic defects, and impair immunity. May cause harm to the unborn child.