Sofia Most Polluted Capital in Europe

Sofia is the most polluted capital in Europe, showed data of the European Environment Agency.

On Friday, an operation was launched for measuring harmful emissions from exhaust gases of vehicles. Units of the Road Police and Executive Agency Automobile Administration will take part in the operation. It was organised by the Association Diabetes Type 2 and Climate Coalition - Bulgaria.

"Between14,000 and 18,000 people die in Bulgaria due to the high levels of pollution. 13% of the air pollution is caused by vehicles, while fine particles rank first among harmful emissions. The levels of pollution after the heating season starts are above the highest permissible levels," said Denitsa Ivanova from the association diabetes Type 2.

Household heating and old cars in Bulgaria cause air pollution and affect the cardio-vascular, reproductive and nervous systems, pointed out Todor Todorov from Climate Coalition - Bulgaria.

"This undertaking makes sense because it is time to make a clear distinction between the share of transport and the share of household heating in air pollution, and to take the necessary steps which will be more accessible with more modern equipment. There are laboratories in other European countries which calculate pollution in real time," commented Todorov on BNR.

The organisers are drafting a Decree on Air Pollution with clear criteria for air purity and control.