Imogen CalderwoodA THIRD of the Spanish population are breathing air whose pollution levels are above the EU limit.
More than 16.8 million people – 36% of the population – have been exposed to dangerous levels of pollutants, with diesel engines being the main source.
Green group Ecologists in Action has also warned that 95% of Spaniards have been exposed to unhealthy pollution levels, taking into account the stricter recommendations made by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
‘International health authorities estimate the number of premature deaths [in Spain] to be 20,000 a year,’ due to complications arising from air pollution, said Miguel Angel Ceballos, one of the report coordinators.
Got to laugh at the ITV test for cars. My petrol car emmissions test was watched closely by the chap there to make sure it is not a fraction over the CO2 limit. Meanwhile Pedro in his old diesel in the next lane, fires it up, creating huge clouds of carcinogenic black smoke, is waved through no problem.
Got laugh or you’d cry. Accompanying this report is another one claiming a 15% reduction in Spanish CO2 levels. Maybe diesel particulates don’t count? Or aren’t counted.