Air pollution

Bangkok city employees have been told to work from home to avoid harmful air pollution, as a layer of noxious haze blanketed the Thai capital on Thursday.

City authorities asked for cooperation from employers to help workers in the city of about 11 million people avoid the pollution, which is expected to last into Friday.

Analyzing data from air quality monitoring stations, Greenpeace Mediterranean has identified 20 regions with the highest air pollution in Türkiye, with the southeastern quake-hit province of Hatay's Iskenderun district ranking first.

Before you rush to answer in the affirmative, here are two important news stories that - as so often is the case with important news - went largely unnoticed last week.

One is good news: The European Union cut carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels by 8% by 2023, to the lowest levels in 60 years.

Bigger, more-powerful cars have negated the impact of tighter CO2 emissions regulations in the EU, a report by the bloc's internal auditor found yesterday.

In a bid to draw attention to pollution and the risk of cancer in the Ergene River Basin, the Foundation for Children with Leukemia (LÖSEV) has organized a protest at the banks of Çorlu Creek in the western province of Tekirdağ.

Environment and Water Minister Julian Popov has assured the public of a continual and thorough investigation into the air pollution plaguing Ruse. In a gathering with locals, Popov affirmed a commitment to an ongoing inquiry rather than a one-time check to unearth the sources of pollution and tackle the persistent issue.

In a decisive move to combat environmental degradation, the Bulgarian government has ushered in new amendments, significantly heightening penalties for environmental damage and pollution that surpass permissible standards. The revised regulations, adopted on January 3, 2024, target sole traders and legal entities, amplifying the consequences for violations.

The onset of the New Year has ushered in a worrying surge in pollution across Bulgaria. Reports from the European Air Quality Index have flagged 11 cities in the country, including Sofia, for hazardous levels of particulate matter, double the permissible limits.

Today's air quality remains alarmingly hazardous across several cities, with fine dust particles soaring well above acceptable levels. The anticipated wind movement offers a glimmer of hope in dispersing the pollution that has gripped numerous urban areas.

Alarming levels of air pollution are plaguing several key cities across Bulgaria, exceeding established safety thresholds by more than double, as revealed by both the official European air quality index and the Bulgarian civil platform, airbg.info. Responding to the precarious air quality in Sofia, the municipal authorities urgently advocate for increased reliance on public transportation.