Slavonski Brod tops European air pollution list for fourth year

Slavonski Brod has once again been identified as the European city with the most significant health risks associated with air pollution. For the fourth year running, the city topped the European Environment Agency's (EEA) ranking, which analyzes air quality across 761 European cities. The assessment, based on data released in July, highlights the long-term health dangers posed by exposure to polluted air.

Peter Tot Đerđ, president of the environmental group Eko-Integral, emphasized that the EEA's ranking focuses on prolonged exposure to harmful substances, not just immediate air quality readings. The analysis considers concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, and ground-level ozone. These pollutants are scientifically linked to severe health consequences, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and lung cancer. PM2.5 particles are particularly dangerous as their small size allows them to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.

The persistent poor air quality in Slavonski Brod is a growing concern for its residents, especially as previous rankings have not led to tangible improvements. Health experts warn that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter is a leading environmental cause of premature death in Europe, affecting children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions, as well as healthy individuals over time. The EEA's findings underscore the urgent need for effective measures to mitigate air pollution in the city.

Other Croatian cities also featured on the list of cities with high health risks, with Osijek ranking 716th and Zagreb 725th. Coastal cities like Rijeka, Pula, Zadar, and Split generally show better air quality, although they too do not always meet World Health Organization standards. Despite years of warnings from citizens, experts, and environmental organizations, Slavonski Brod continues to grapple with this major ecological and public health challenge.

“

The European Environment Agency did not rank cities by current air quality, but by long-term exposure of the population to pollution. Concentrations of particulate matter PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and ground-level ozone were taken into account, as well as their impact on the health of the population. Thus, Slavonski Brod was assessed as the city with the greatest health risk associated with air pollution.