July 27, 2019

Anna Murray 

European Union is forcing Spain and Bulgaria to provide a solution to air pollution. In Spain, nitrogen dioxide is causing around 9,000 unexpected deaths annually according to the European Environment Agency.

European Commission stated that Spain has already exceeded the limits of NO2, especially in Madrid and Barcelona. The latest air quality data of Spain also confirms the systematic breach of EU regulations on nitrogen dioxide values. Since 2010, those rules have been legally binding.

This decision could maneuver Madrid’s new conservative council’s attempt to lift a low-emission scheme, allowing only certain vehicles, electric and hybrid cars, to travel in restricted areas. However, a judge denied it.

In Bulgaria, record showed that the country is exceeding sulfur dioxide levels. In 2017, the court ruled that Bulgaria was not within the limits for particulate matter.

The commission did not consider any fines yet. However, the infringement procedure under EU is able to establish a penalty to this matter in forms of daily or lump sum payments.

In addition, the EU executive also urged Croatia and Romania to deal with failures in observing pollution.

Photo:Webshot.