Perfect reflection of the Reine village on the water of the fjord in the Lofoten Islands, Norway
Driven by new data on air quality standards, and what it takes to provide the public with healthy environments, there are major changes taking place in areas of Europe.
That includes a new program in Bulgaria. Here, in the municipality of Sofia, certain neighborhoods are finally getting changes to the laws around heat sources.
Local reporting shows that as of January 1 of this year, the affected areas will have major initiatives in place. These have to do with changing over heat sources from wood and coal to other types of heating. That’s a big job. But it looks like it’s one that local officials are up to.
The Rules on Heating
Prohibition of the use of wood and coal stoves will go along with efforts like a stove replacement program. Patrols will look for violations of the new rules. Heat pumps and air conditioners will be part of the equation. There are resources for dismantling and recycling old appliances.
The related reporting of the program cites wood and coal heating as responsible for up to 56% of total emissions in the area. That leads to the release of 80% of small particles in the air during the winter season. So people want to cut down on this kind of pollution. The new program helps.
Why Limit Wood (and Coal) Burning?
Many efforts to modernize heating in Sofia and similar places have to do with cost and climate change. We’re also learning from new science that smoke from wood and coal burning can be harmful to individuals in local areas, in more direct ways.
Specifically, the burning of wood or coal releases something called PM 2.5. This type of contaminant is essentially ultra fine particles. These are small enough to get embedded deep in the lungs, and even get into the bloodstream in some cases.
PM 2.5 can cause irritation of the respiratory system, and triggering or worsening of conditions like:
- Asthma
- Allergies
- COPD
It’s not hard to imagine how a haze of wood or cold smoke will blanket a community in the winter time. That’s even more true if people are commonly using these types of stoves as heat sources.
The reporting from Sofia includes the deputy mayor talking about how these health risks impact high-risk groups like children and the elderly.
Other Enforcement and High Tech Activities
In addition, local officials will reportedly use drones to monitor the areas for burning violations.
Magazine reports cover actions by the Emergency Assistance and Prevention Directorate, and patrols intended to root out violations, including this:
“Advanced monitoring tools, including stationary and mobile cameras, drones, and a fire tower in the “Faculty” district, will help identify and address unregulated burning.”
There are also new restrictions on vehicle emissions and even dust from construction projects. In a way, all of these things are interrelated. Green and sustainable initiatives take contaminants out of the air while also lowering the carbon footprint of a community.
It’s also interesting to note that the new rules impacting air quality coincide with Bulgaria’s Schengen integration. Presumably there will be less traditional border checks, freeing up resources for the kinds of patrols mentioned above. Are the new air quality rules related to the EU zone integration itself?
These new rules also represent efforts to make people aware that anytime you have smoke and hazy conditions in the air around you, you’re getting these kinds of contaminants and the health risks that come with them.
That’s something people are still learning, for example, as major wildfires send smoke around the country, and the hemisphere.
Acting Against Poor Air Quality
As we’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, many people are taking action in their communities to try to clean up the air around them.
But residential air control is important, too. Any contaminants in the outside air are likely to eventually make their way indoors, and become part of the equation inside of your home.
That’s where people really have the ability to manage indoor air quality. You can use an air monitor to inspect the air inside of the building, and then use air purifiers to clean and filter that air effectively.
There’s also a range of new technologies that are helpful. For a good effective air purifier model, look at choices like the best new air purifiers from makers like AirPura, Austin Air and BetterAir, with the features and functionality that you need.
Ask US Air Purifiers LLC about how to make the right purchase and get the air purifier you need to protect your health and the health of your family.