Poland reports improved air quality in 2023, with record low pollutant levels across the country.
Air quality in Poland notably improved in 2023, with all 46 monitored regions recording no exceedances in annual limits for sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, benzene, or fine particulate matter (PM2.5), according to the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (GIOŚ).
Record Results for PM2.5 and PM10
This year marked the first time no region exceeded the permissible limit for PM2.5 under Phase II standards, introduced in 2020 with a cap of 20 µg/m³. The number of regions meeting standards for PM10 pollution also reached a record high, with 44 zones achieving Class A status, compared to just 32 in 2022 and 21 in 2021.
Improved Status for Carcinogens
The improvement also extended to benzo(a)pyrene, a carcinogenic pollutant found in PM10. In 2023, 25 regions achieved Class A status, a significant increase from 14 regions in 2022 and 7 in 2021, reflecting Poland’s ongoing efforts in air quality control.