An analysis published on Tuesday by the Austrian Transport Club (VCÖ) shows that the WHO guideline values were exceeded at all particulate matter measuring points in Austria in 2022. According to the European Environment Agency, air pollution recently caused 4,500 premature deaths in this country.
The VCÖ therefore calls for measures in road traffic. These can make a major contribution to reducing air pollution, the report says. For example, the state of Salzburg found that the recently lifted flexible speed limit of 100 on the Tauernautobahn (A10) alone reduced nitrogen oxide emissions from car traffic by 19 percent. brought an eight percent reduction, equivalent to the effect of a total highway closure for almost a month.
“The health of the population is the greatest asset. “It is therefore important to maintain or introduce lower speed limits as long as pollution levels are above WHO guidelines,” emphasized VCÖ expert Lina Mosshammer. Higher speeds not only increase pollutant emissions, but also tire and brake wear, which electric cars also cause.
Diesel exhaust fumes are especially harmful
In communities and cities, traffic calming measures and traffic and urban planning that promote walking and cycling can make an important contribution to ensuring that the population can perform more daily tasks on foot or by bicycle. Emission-free delivery zones are also important in cities to reduce particularly dangerous air pollution from diesel buses, the VCÖ said.
Increased risk in children
The smaller the fine dust particles, the more dangerous they are. Long-term exposure increases the risk of heart attack and lung cancer, among other things. The fine dust particles are very harmful to children because their lungs grow and they breathe in more air in proportion to their body size.
Guideline values for nitrogen dioxide are also often exceeded
The standard values for nitrogen dioxide were also exceeded at 75 percent of the measuring points. Nitrogen dioxide can cause respiratory and cardiovascular disease and lung damage.
Source: Krone
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