IQAir’s 2024 World Air Quality Report, a comprehensive analysis of pollution levels across 138 countries, including Greece, has just been released. The report examines PM2.5 concentrations using data from more than 40,000 monitoring stations operated by government agencies, research institutions, and citizen scientists worlwide.
PM2.5, or fine particulate matter, are tiny airborne particles measuring 2.5 micrometers or smaller. They originate from sources such as vehicle emissions, industrial activities, biomass burning, but also natural events like wildfires and dust storms.
Because of their small size, PM2.5 particles penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, posing serious health risks like respiratory diseases, cancer, and developmental issues in children. This pollutant causes the largest health impacts globally, contributing to millions of deaths each year, while long term exposure to PM2.5 contributed to 4 millions deaths globally in 2019.
Data from IQAIr report shows that the 10 most PM2.5 polluted cities in Greece for 2024 are:
Ioannina, Plagiari (town in the Municipality of Thermi), Ellispontos (municipality in the Kozani Prefecture), Aliartos (town in the Municipality of Aliartos – Thespies, Boeotia Prefecture), Elefsina, Vasilika (town in the Thessaloniki Prefecture), Trilofos (town in Central Macedonia), Orestiada (city in the northeastern part of the Evros Prefecture), Thessaloniki, Lykovrysi (municipality in northern Attica).
The Greeks cities with the least PM2.5 pollution are:
Nea Raidestos (town in the Municipality of Thermi, Thessaloniki Prefecture), Dyo Choria (community on the island of Tinos), Vouliagmeni (southern suburb of Athens), Rio (coastal settlement in the Municipality of Patras, Achaia), Agios Nikolaos (Crete), Sitia (coastal town in eastern Crete), Agios Pavlos (area in the Municipality of Neapoli – Sykies, Thessaloniki), Ilioupoli (southern suburb of Athens), Chaidari (near Mount Aigaleo, north of Piraeus) Heraklion (Crete).
Complete IQAir Rankings for Greece
Photo Credits: IQAir
