Athens, October 31 – An international scientific study published in the prestigious journal Nature has placed Athens among the most polluted cities in Europe, based on a new air quality measure that looks at the oxidative potential of airborne particles, not just their concentration.
New approach to measuring air pollution
The groundbreaking research, coordinated by Université Grenoble Alpes with participation from the National Observatory of Athens, examined the oxidative potential of particulate matter – essentially the ability of airborne particles to cause oxidative stress in the human body. This marks a notable shift from traditional air quality assessments that measure only particle concentration.
According to the study’s findings, Athens ranks among the six European cities with the highest oxidative potential for PM10 particles, which are particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less. Even more worrying, the Greek capital is among the top three cities for the finer and more harmful PM2.5 particles, which measure 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter.
Understanding oxidative potential
Unlike conventional air quality measurements that just count the number of particles in the air, oxidative potential looks at the chemical reactivity of these particles and their capacity to generate harmful oxidative stress within the human body. This oxidative stress can damage cells, proteins, and DNA, contributing to a range of health problems including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and potentially cancer.
“Until now, standards considered only particle concentration, not their quality,” said Nikos Michalopoulos, a researcher at the National Observatory of Athens who participated in the study.
Alarming findings for Athens
Michalopoulos called the findings “very alarming” for the Greek capital. The research identified two main sources contributing to the high oxidative potential in Athens: urban traffic emissions and wood burning for heating purposes.
The mix of these pollution sources creates a particularly toxic blend of airborne particles. Vehicle exhaust emits nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and fine particulate matter, while wood burning releases polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other chemically reactive compounds. Together, they produce particles with exceptionally high oxidative potential.
Health implications for residents
The high oxidative potential of Athens’ air pollution poses substantial health risks for the city’s residents. Oxidative stress triggered by inhaled particles can lead to inflammation in the lungs and cardiovascular system, accelerate aging processes, and increase susceptibility to chronic diseases.
Fine particles, particularly PM2.5, are especially dangerous because they can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, carrying their oxidative potential throughout the body. Athens’ ranking among the top three European cities for PM2.5 oxidative potential suggests that residents face elevated health risks compared to most other European urban populations.
Potential solutions and emission reductions
Despite the concerning findings, the research offers a path toward improvement. The study’s authors estimate that a 15 percent reduction in emissions from urban traffic and wood burning could markedly decrease the oxidative potential of Athens’ air pollution.
This finding is especially important because it suggests that targeted interventions focusing on the most harmful pollution sources could deliver substantial health benefits, even without achieving large overall reductions in particle concentrations.
Implications for future EU regulations
The research comes at a crucial time for European air quality policy. The findings are expected to influence new European Union air quality limits scheduled for implementation in 2026. Unlike current standards that focus primarily on particle concentration, the new regulations may incorporate measures of oxidative potential and chemical reactivity.
This shift would represent a major change in how air quality is regulated, moving beyond simple particle counts to consider the actual health impacts of different types of pollution. For cities like Athens, this could mean stricter requirements and greater pressure to address specific pollution sources.
Athens in European context
The study examined several European cities, allowing for direct comparisons of air quality across the continent. Athens’ consistent placement among the worst-performing cities for both PM10 and PM2.5 oxidative potential highlights the severity of the Greek capital’s air pollution challenge.
The research methodology involved collecting particle samples from various European cities and analyzing their chemical composition and oxidative properties in laboratory settings. This comprehensive approach provided unprecedented insight into the qualitative differences in air pollution across Europe.
Local factors contributing to pollution
Several factors particular to Athens contribute to its high oxidative pollution levels. The city’s geography, situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, can trap polluted air and prevent dispersion, particularly during calm weather conditions. Additionally, the widespread use of wood and other biomass for heating during winter months adds significant amounts of chemically reactive particles to the atmosphere.
Traffic congestion in the densely populated urban center adds to the problem, with millions of vehicle trips each day contributing to the emission of oxidative pollutants. The age of Athens’ vehicle fleet, which includes a higher proportion of older, more polluting vehicles compared to some other European cities, may also play a role.
Call for action
The National Observatory of Athens researchers involved in the study stress the urgent need for policy interventions to address the oxidative pollution crisis. Potential measures could include expanded low-emission zones, incentives for replacing wood-burning heating systems with cleaner alternatives, promotion of public transportation, and stricter vehicle emission standards.
The 15 percent emission reduction target identified in the study represents an achievable goal that could deliver measurable health benefits for Athens residents. However, reaching this target will require coordinated action across multiple sectors, including transportation, energy, and urban planning.
International collaboration continues
The study published in Nature shows ongoing international collaboration to better understand air pollution’s health impacts. The participation of the National Observatory of Athens in this research demonstrates Greek scientists’ contribution to advancing global knowledge about environmental health risks.
As European cities prepare for new air quality standards in 2026, studies like this offer essential evidence for designing effective regulations that protect public health. For Athens, the findings serve as both a warning and a roadmap for necessary improvements to air quality in the coming years.
The full study, which includes detailed chemical analyses and health impact assessments, is now available in the journal Nature and provides comprehensive data that policymakers and public health officials can use to develop targeted interventions.
Source: https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/environment/1285207/greek-capital-faces-rising-oxidative-pollution-risk/
