Smog levels dangerous over weekend

The Government Security Centre in Warsaw (known as the RCB) warned on its twitter account on Saturday that levels of particulate substances in some areas of central and southern Poland had reached levels which made the air quality dangerous for some. “[There are] high concentrations of PM10 in the south and in central Poland, remember about safety. […] the elderly, sick, children and pregnant women should limit their time spent outside," advised RCB.” Ground-level ozone and particulate matter 10 and 2.5 (PM10 and PM2.5) are the main components of smog. Ministry of Environment, Jan Szyszko, said that the issue concerned the government, but that it was working towards measures aimed at reducing smog, as outlined in the Strategy for Responsible Development. “Indeed, the situation can be worrying,” he said on Friday. He stressed that the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management had allocated PLN 10 billion toward improving air quality levels, including financing of the thermo-modernization of buildings, the development of district heating networks and connections and the development of geothermal energy. Out of about 50 zones in Poland, 39 recorded concentrations exceeding the standards for PM10 on Saturday.