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Freezing temperatures bring with them various problems. One of them, which many people may not be aware of, is the significantly deteriorated air quality. Why is this happening and why should we care?

Trees have the ability to absorb and reduce pollutants from the air. This process allows trees and other plants to absorb, capture and neutralize harmful substances such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, dust particles, heavy metals and others. Certain types of trees have specific properties for ridding the air of pollutants. For example, maples, oaks, lindens, firs and spruces can effectively trap solid particles and dust, while catalpas are able to absorb nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides with their large leaves.

It is better to see once than to hear a hundred times. The participants of the study trip to North Moravia in mid-October could convince themselves of the validity of the saying. During four days, mayors and officials could be inspired by innovative projects and solutions in the field of community energy, proper heating, air quality and the development of sustainable mobility.

International cooperation between three integrated LIFE projects

Countries in the Central European region face similar problems with air pollution, therefore the international exchange of experience is the key to the successful implementation of integrated LIFE projects (IP) aimed at improving air quality.

Air pollution is the greatest environmental health risk affecting all of humanity, responsible for more than 6 million premature deaths worldwide. That is why protecting the air and ensuring healthy air is a global challenge. On September 7, we remember the importance of air quality thanks to the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.

In cooperation with the retail chain TESCO STORES SR, an information awareness campaign aimed at supporting measures in the area of ​​air quality and raising public awareness of the importance of air protection in Slovakia took place during the month of June. The chain's customers had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the issue of air protection in the form of radio spots and "populair" promotional stands on the topic of sustainable mobility. It was possible to meet our air quality managers in person in selected stores in Bratislava, Trnava, Nitra, Rožňava, Trebišov, Žilina, Ružomberok, Snina and Kežmarok.

On June 22, 2023, the opening of a poster exhibition took place in the atrium of the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic (MoE SR) on the informative measurement of NO2 in schools, which was opened by the Minister of the MoE SR, Milan Chrenko, and which was also attended by the Minister of Culture, Silvia Hroncová, ambassadors, winning schools and employees of the MoE SR.

As part of our Populair project, we actively maintain relations with international partners, which was also reflected in the recently organized Trilateral Workshop in Piešťany, which took place on May 17-19, 2023. At this event, we welcomed the foreign projects HungAIRy from Hungary and Malopolska - In a healthy atmosphere from Poland, which, like us, deal with the issue of air quality.

Recently, the mobile application "Dnes dýcham" (en. Today I Breathe) was successfully launched, with its goal to raise public awareness of air quality in Slovakia. The mobile application displays informative values ​​of the level of air pollution under the designation of AQI - air quality index.

The program of economic and social development of the town Ivanka pri Dunaji defines transport as one of the main problems and burdens for the town. The results of air quality monitoring should contribute to addressing air protection and the unsustainable traffic situation. Air quality managers for the Bratislava Region gave a helping hand in identifying the hotspot and installing a mobile monitoring station in Ivanka pri Dunaji.