Estonia Under EU Limits in Primary Air Pollution Categories
Published: 13.03.2012 11:38
An air pollution monitoring station
( Photo: Postimees/Scanpix )
After finishing first in the world in least urban particulate pollution last year according to the WHO, Estonia has now received a clean bill of health from the European Environment Agency as far as gases and fumes are concerned.
The analysis of emissions based on 2010 data examined four primary groups - sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and ammonia.
Compared to the allowable limits, Estonia posted figures of 83 percent for SO2, 78 percent for VOCs, 61 percent for NOx and 35 percent for ammonia, the first three groups stemming from energy and transport sectors, the last mainly from animal farming.
Twelve countries earned black marks with nitrogen oxides being the biggest problem. Spain exceeded the limits in three of the four categories, Germany in two. Finland was above the limit in ammonia.
Eleven countries exceeded the nitrogen oxides limits, associated most with road transport - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.
Kristopher Rikken