Two-thirds of gaseous pollutants in Prague generated by just 10 pct of vehicles

A study commissioned by Prague City Hall on traffic and air pollution has found that more two-thirds of gaseous pollutants are generated by just 10 per cent of the vehicles operating in the Czech capital.

Many of these vehicles have missing or faulty exhaust systems or diesel engines in poor condition, the study found. The Prague municipality is now looking at ways to improve the city’s air quality, which could include measures such as introducing a congestion tax.

Harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, mercury and dust particles are a leading cause of respiratory diseases and result in an estimated 11,000 premature deaths in the Czech Republic each year.

Author: Brian Kenety