The life expectancy of the inhabitants of Warsaw and Łódź would increase by 1.2 years if air cleanliness conditions in these cities improved, according to a study by the University of Chicago, cited by Euronews. The University of Chicago has developed the Air Quality of Life Index (AQLI), which takes air pollution into account and examines its impact on human life expectancy.

Airborne pollutant particles may now have a greater impact on human life expectancy around the world than the effects of factors such as heavy smoking and HIV, according to scientists working on AQLI.

In recent years, however, the situation in Europe has improved significantly in this respect. Since the establishment of the European Environment Agency almost 20 years ago, the level of air pollution to which Europeans are exposed has decreased by around 40 percent. According to estimates, thanks to the introduction of effective regulations, life expectancy of the average European citizen has increased by nine months since then.

However, this does not apply to Poland, which is currently the country with the most polluted air in Europe and does not meet the limits of "clean air" set by the World Health Organization.

However, it is worst in Warsaw and Łódź. According to scientists' calculations, improving air quality in these cities would contribute to extending the life expectancy of their inhabitants by 1.2 years.

The situation in Poland is partly to blame for the energy sector based mostly on coal combustion, but in the case of pollution in cities, the so-called low emissions of pollutants from outdated domestic heating systems.

(300gospodarka)