article_detail

Air pollution continues to be a serious problem in Murcia, with the city leading the region in nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter, according to a new report by Ecologists in Action.

 

These findings follow earlier warnings that air pollution in Murcia and Cartagena remains above the new European Union limits . They also come after reports last October showing ozone levels in Murcia reached their highest point in eight years.

 

The environmental group has focused on two pollutants in particular: nitrogen dioxide, which comes mainly from road traffic, and PM2.5 fine particles, which specialists say are especially harmful to health. Presenting their annual report, the organisation stressed the need for “a consistent improvement in the Region.”

 

Murcia’s San Basilio monitoring station recorded the highest nitrogen dioxide levels, with an average annual concentration of around 30 micrograms per cubic metre. That compares with the EU target of 20 micrograms before 2030, and the 10 micrograms recommended by the World Health Organization. Along with Ronda Sur in Murcia and Mompeán in Cartagena, these stations had the most exceedances of the WHO guideline.

 

PM2.5 is also a major concern. San Basilio and Molina stations recorded the highest breaches of the WHO daily limit, followed by Ronda Sur and Mompeán. Ecologists in Action say this pattern “demonstrates the origin of emissions from road traffic throughout the year.” While dust from the Sahara can make matters worse, they emphasise that it only adds to an already serious problem.

 

The group called for continued upgrades to air quality monitoring equipment and the creation of a Strategic Air Quality Plan. They also criticised the way Low Emission Zones are being implemented in Murcia, arguing they are introduced “without any criteria for excluding polluting vehicles,” which weakens their impact.

 

On the human side, they added that anti-pollution measures must go beyond simple recommendations, insisting they “must include preventive action measures and not just recommendations,” if public health is to be protected.

 

As one member of the group put it, “People in Murcia are breathing this air every day. We need real action, not just targets on paper.”