Experts from across Spain met in Valencia to encourage improvements in the health of the population by addressing urban pollution

Representatives from the Spanish government, the Valencia Regional Government, the Council of the capital of Turia, the Naturgy Foundation and the UIMP met today to discuss the issue of urban pollution as a priority for improving people’s quality of life.

Every year, the Valencia Regional Government assigns €700,000 to the maintenance of the Atmospheric Pollution Surveillance and Control Network of Valencia.

This afternoon, representatives from the Spanish government, the Valencia Regional Government, the Council of the capital of Turia, the Naturgy Foundation and the UIMP took part in the opening ceremony of the ‘Technical scientific bases to improve air quality in Spain’ technology forum. Thirty experts will hold meetings in Valencia until Thursday to address the different aspects of the issue of atmospheric pollution, which affects nine in ten people living in a city, according to the WHO.

Maj Britt Larka, Deputy General Director of Air Quality and Industrial Environment in the Ministry for the Ecological Transition (MITECO), said: “The quality of the air we inhale is a cause for concern for the responsible authorities, especially in densely populated areas. The WHO considers air pollution to be a main cause of premature death and illness across the world, highlighted by the significant increase in cases of respiratory, cardiovascular and immunological illnesses.” Furthermore, he stressed: “We should apply all necessary efforts, at all levels, in order to achieve our ambitious target of improving our air quality.”

That is why the MITECO has created the National Programme of Atmospheric Pollution Control with the aim of reducing emissions of the main pollutants:  Sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), ammonia (NH3) and fine particles (PM2.5), in two phases, for 2020 and 2030. This programme has already been submitted to the public participation process and information to interested parties. The claims received are currently being analysed.

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