Air Quality and Health in Thessaloniki

Overview and Objectives of the Project 

Rapid urbanization is causing serious impacts on various aspects of the natural and human-made environment. Regarding the atmosphere and climate, urbanization is linked to increased temperatures, which in turn lead to the exacerbation of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and degradation of air quality.

The LIFE SIRIUS project, “Integrated Environmental Information System in Urban Areas,” commenced in August 2022 with the mission to enhance the planning and management of air quality in cities. Spanning across Thessaloniki, Rome, and Nicosia, the project aims to strengthen public administration through the promotion of Air Quality Plans (AQPs) and the implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS). A central focus of LIFE SIRIUS is its commitment to mitigating health impacts associated with poor air quality and thermal discomfort through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions.

The LIFE SIRIUS project:

    • Provides specialized products for forecasting the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and air quality, primarily for societal applications.

    • Develops and implements a health information and warning system due to pollutants and degraded air quality.

    • Implements the aforementioned operational warning/information systems for air quality and health in the three urban areas by the respective administrative partners (Municipality of Thessaloniki, DEP Lazio – Department of Epidemiology of the Regional Health Service of Lazio, Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance of Cyprus).

    • Optimizes the use of measurements from existing air quality and meteorological networks.

    • Establishes tools for disseminating and providing open access to high-resolution weather and health information to policy makers and stakeholders. Interested authorities will enhance their knowledge regarding vulnerabilities and risks associated with the urban climate.

    • Creates a specialized platform with modern communication technologies to ensure necessary actions are taken based on project services and products.

    • Maintains close contact and communication with administrative bodies, local initiatives, and stakeholders to ensure the dissemination of scientific information to end-users and provide feedback for service improvement. The existing functional network of LIFE ASTI will be utilized and expanded to include more entities, resident groups, and NGOs.

    • Develops a specialized response plan to address the combined pressures of atmospheric pollution and heatwaves.

Scientific Observations and Impacts 

Air Quality and Health in Thessaloniki 

Thessaloniki struggles with persistent air quality issues, particularly with excessive levels of particulate matter that pose health risks, especially to vulnerable demographic groups.

The LIFE SIRIUS project enhances governance in the planning and management of air quality in cities by expanding the knowledge and capabilities of relevant public authorities. The LIFE SIRIUS project aims to design and operate an integrated environmental information system in three urban areas (Thessaloniki/Greece, Rome/Italy, Nicosia/Cyprus), reflecting a variety of geomorphological features, demographic data, and socio-economic factors.

Findings from a study by the Life SIRIUS team on premature mortality 

A recent study by the Life SIRIUS team, led by Dr. Daphne Parliari, examined the effects of air pollution and temperature fluctuations on premature mortality. The initial results reveal that the combined impact of air pollution and extreme temperatures poses significant health risks. For instance, low levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) combined with high temperatures increase the risk of mortality within a few days, especially during a heatwave. Conversely, higher levels of NO2 during colder periods are also associated with increased mortality risks, highlighting the dual challenge posed by air pollution under different climatic conditions.

Review of Previous Events

Recently, on World Environment Day (June 5, 2024), a Workshop-Local Seminar titled “Environmental Information in the City of Thessaloniki, – Air Pollution & Health, – Presentation of the Integrated Environmental Management System of the LIFE SIRIUS Program” was held, where the “Integrated Environmental Management System” of the Municipality of Thessaloniki was presented. This specialized platform, developed in collaboration with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki under the LIFE SIRIUS project, aims to provide citizens, especially vulnerable groups, with accessible data on air pollution and health precautionary warnings. Scheduled for initial operation in June of this year, the platform promises to evolve into a comprehensive tool by the end of the year.

The event was attended by members of the Project Team from the Contracting Authority (Municipality of Thessaloniki), the Lead Partner (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), and the partner from AXON ENVIRO-GROUP Ltd, as well as representatives from the Contractor Company (LEVER S.A.), and invited guests from various organizations. The purpose was to present topics related to the description, review, and implementation of the European LIFE SIRIUS project by the Greek partnership, to address relevant issues on World Environment Day, and to showcase the Integrated Environmental Management System created under the Program. The Local Seminar took place in the City Council Hall of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, at Vasileos Georgiou A’ 1, Thessaloniki. During the opening of the seminar, City Council President Spyros Vouyas welcomed the attendees and gave a greeting. In his speech, Mayor of Thessaloniki Mr. Angeloudis described the environmental management system being developed by the project as “a valuable, useful tool for recording air pollution and protecting citizens.” Additionally, the Rector of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Professor Charalambos Feidas, emphasized that the University invests in practical and consistent actions aimed at addressing environmental issues and leverages innovative research results for the benefit of society and the economy. Professor of Environmental Physics and scientific leader of the LIFE SIRIUS project, Professor Dimitris Melas, referred to the phenomenon of the urban heat island.

The workshop highlighted Thessaloniki’s proactive stance towards air pollution, recognizing it as a persistent threat that requires urgent intervention. Municipal leaders emphasized the city’s commitment to promoting a greener, more sustainable future through innovative partnerships and citizen engagement.

“Integrated Environmental Management System” (PLATFORM)

As part of the LIFE SIRIUS project, the “Integrated Environmental Management System” is being developed, a specialized platform-web application that presents current air pollution measurements and forecasts for each municipal district for the next three days. The Municipality of Thessaloniki provides ground-based measurements of meteorological parameters and air pollution, which serve as input data for the project’s predictive models. To facilitate and immediately inform citizens, the Air Pollution Index is presented in an easy-to-understand manner with appropriate public instructions. Additionally, it includes an advanced early warning system for public health protection, which, considering both air pollution levels and meteorological conditions, provides specific instructions to the city’s residents.

Through this platform, the response capacity of the Municipality of Thessaloniki to air pollution episodes is expected to improve, the effectiveness of mitigation measures will increase, and timely information will underpin more efficient decision-making by the authorities.

As LIFE SIRIUS progresses, our commitment to improving urban air quality continues to strengthen. We are ready to advance our research, enhance methodologies, and expand our collaboration networks. Stay tuned for more updates and insights as we move towards a cleaner, healthier urban environment.

For more information, visit our website at www.lifesirius.eu

Sincerely, 

The Life Sirius Team

Connect with us: 

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Life.Sirius/ 

Twitter: https://x.com/life_sirius

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lifesirius

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest