Air quality in Targu-Mures

What is the current level of air pollution in Targu-Mures?

Târgu Mureș is the seat of Mureș County in the historical region of Transylvania, Romania. It sits on the banks of the Mures River which is the second longest river in Romania after the Danube. According to a census conducted in 2011, Targu-Mures had an estimated population of 135,000 inhabitants.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2021, Târgu Mureș was experiencing a period of air which was classified as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with a US AQI reading of 126. This reading can be used as a reference point when comparing air quality in other cities around the world. Data is collected about the six most prolific air pollutants commonly found and this figure is calculated from there. If information is not available for all six, then a figure can be deduced using the information that is available. In the case of Târgu Mureș there were three pollutants that were recorded. These were PM2.5 - 45.5 µg/m³, ozone (O₃) - 11.7 µg/m³ and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) - 47.5 µg/m³. The PM2.5 reading is four and a half times above the target figure of 10 µg/m³ as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Although no level of air pollution is considered to be safe.

With a level such as this, the advice would be to stay indoors and close the doors and windows so as to prevent more polluted air from entering the rooms. The use of an air purifier would be beneficial but make sure it recirculates the air without importing more dirty air from outside. Those who are more sensitive to poor air quality should try to avoid venturing outside until the air improves. If this is unavoidable, then a good quality mask should be worn at all times. All groups are dissuaded from partaking in vigorous outdoor exercise.

There is an app available from AirVisual.com for most mobile devices which gives information regarding air quality in real-time. This information will assist in your decision as to whether or not to go outside.

Does air quality vary much throughout the year in Târgu Mureș?

Looking back at the figure for 2020, released by IQAir.com, it can readily be seen that the month of January provided the worst air quality with a reading from the “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” category with a figure of 36.6 µg/m³. The months of February, March and April, together with October, November and December returned readings from the “Moderate” category with figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³. The remaining five months from May until September achieved the target figure of less than 10 µg/m³ which is the suggested maximum level by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The best air quality was had in June with a low reading of 5.2 µg/m³.

There were no records kept about air quality before 2020 when the recorded figure was 15.1 µg/m³ or “Moderate” quality. This figure, however, may not be a true reflection of reality because of the COVOD-19 situation. Many cars were unused as their drivers worked from home and therefore had no need to commute to the office on a daily basis. Many small factories and production units were also temporarily closed so their emissions ceased too.

Is there a main source of air pollution in Târgu Mureș?

Air pollution is not the same everywhere. Various pollutants are released into the atmosphere from a variety of sources, including industry, transport, agriculture, waste management and households. Certain air pollutants are also released from natural sources.

The major conclusion of the authorities is that, in Târgu Mureș, the main source of pollution would be traffic.

Suspended dust, nitrogen dioxide and ground-level ozone are currently recognized as the three pollutants that most severely affect human health. About 90 per cent of Europe's city dwellers are exposed to pollutants in concentrations above levels of air quality that are considered harmful to health. For example, fine powders in suspension (PM2.5) from the air reduce life expectancy in the EU by more than eight months. Benzopyrene is an increasingly worrying carcinogen that, in several urban areas, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, is present in concentrations that exceed the threshold set for the protection of human health.

The promotion of the burning of renewable wood has unfortunately led to high levels of particulate matter in the air locally. The burning of wet wood is even worse.

Can anything be done to improve the air quality in Târgu Mureș?

Measures taken to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants with a detrimental effect on the climate, such as carbon black, methane, ozone or ozone precursors, bring benefits to both human health and the climate. Greenhouse gases and air pollutants come from the same sources of emissions. As a result, potential benefits, including cost reductions, can be achieved by limiting greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants.

Given the diversity of sources in terms of geographical spread and economic activity, action needs to be taken at different levels, from local to international. International conventions may aim to reduce the number of pollutants released into the atmosphere, but in the absence of local measures - such as information campaigns, the removal of high-pollution vehicles from cities and urban planning decisions - we will not be able to reap the full benefits of our efforts. This diversity also means that there is no universal solution for air pollution. In order to reduce exposure and subsequent adverse effects, authorities need to adapt their measures to reflect local factors such as sources, demographics, transport infrastructure and the local economy.

What are the detrimental effects breathing polluted air has on the human body?

A recent study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that fine particulate pollution PM2.5 could be a bigger health problem than previously thought. According to the WHO Review of Evidence on Health Aspects of Air Pollution, long-term exposure to fine particles can cause atherosclerosis, adverse effects on pregnancy and respiratory disease in childhood. The study also suggests the possible link between neurological development, cognitive function and diabetes and strengthens the causal link between PM2.5 and deaths caused by cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.