Urban air pollution is one of the most serious problems we face in many large cities around the world. In fact, the levels of polluting particles have long exceeded the safety limit for human health established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in many cases. While this limit is at 20 mcg / m3, large cities like Paris already have an annual average of 38 mcg / m3. Not to mention extreme cases like Beijing, whose particle levels exceed 300 mcg, forcing the city to impose the orange alert.
At the national level , during last February twenty of the main cities and metropolitan areas of Spain exceeded the legal limit of inhalable suspended particles, set by the European Commission (EC) at 50 mcg / m3 and, again, The OMS. These levels are skyrocketing as a consequence of the anticyclone and climate change, which largely affects the Iberian Peninsula.
Environmental impact of traffic
Lets start by the beginning. Land traffic and, specifically, cars need a source of energy to move, which, in this case, is fuel. Currently, we have several types of fuel, but the most common are still diesel and unleaded gasoline. The environmental pollution produced by these fuels is caused by carbon monoxide, the most abundant polluting gas in the atmosphere of our cities. The problem is that, when this gas mixes with the hemoglobin that we have in the blood, it decreases the oxygenation capacity of our cells, which causes breathing problems.
To try to reduce these negative effects as much as possible, we should be able to use alternative energy sources to oil such as hydrogen or fuel cells. However, until we reach this situation, we can adapt our driving habits with the vehicles we have. Starting the engine without stepping on the accelerator, turning it off during prolonged stops, not overloading the car or keeping the air filter in good condition are some of the recommendations that we can follow to try to be more respectful of the environment.
Activated anti-pollution protocols
In this context, European, state and local authorities have had no choice but to begin to implement traffic restrictions in cities. Thus, when the concentration of harmful substances in the air reaches levels that are dangerous for health, Madrid launches the Action Plan for Episodes of Nitrogen Dioxide Pollution, which differentiates five scenarios according to the level of pollution. In addition, failure to comply with the restrictions is punishable by a fine of 90 euros.
In scenario 1, all vehicles can circulate normally inside the M-30, although the maximum speed will be limited to 70 km / h in both directions. In scenario 2, only vehicles with the environmental label CERO, ECO, C and B can circulate on the M-30, while in scenario 3 the restricted area increases to the entire municipality of Madrid. In scenario 4, only vehicles with the label ZERO, ECO and C can circulate; and in number 5, only those that have the CERO and ECO distinctive.
In the same way as Madrid, other Spanish cities such as Murcia, Zaragoza or Valladolid also have anti-pollution protocols. However, the city of Barcelona, despite the fact that the Metropolitan Area created a protocol against pollution in 2017, has decided not to restrict the circulation of polluting vehicles until next year 2020. A decision that has not been without controversy, as environmentalists and Experts consider the adopted protocol insufficient, which barely foresees recommending the use of public transport to the public, reducing works and advising people with respiratory or cardiovascular problems to moderate outdoor activity.
