Two in three Poles are in favour of more stringent legislation against air pollution, a new survey shows.

Seventeen percent of respondents were against tightening anti-smog laws whereas 16 percent had no opinion, a poll by SW Research found.

“Stricter regulations were more often supported by women (68 percent), people with higher education (70 percent) and the inhabitants of cities with a population higher than 500,000 (79 percent),” said Piotr Zimolzak, from SW Research.

“The older the age group the higher the percentage of respondents who back tightening anti-smog laws, from 60 percent of those aged up to 24 to 72 percent of people aged over 50,” he added.

According to Piotr Siergiej, spokesperson for the Polish Smog Alarm NGO, the results of the survey show that Polish society has become more aware of the health hazards posed by inhaling polluted air.

“Even last year, arguments downplaying the health impact of smog or its mere existence [in Poland] were commonplace,” Siergiej said.

The Polish public has since grown more critical of air pollution levels, Sergiej said, adding that “67-percent support for tighter anti-smog laws indicates that citizens expect action from institutions responsible for fighting air pollution.”

In mid-October, a smog alert was issued in Warsaw after PM10 concentration exceeded 80 mg/m3. (aba/pk)

Source: Rzeczpospolita