site.btaEnvironment Agency Reports High Volumes of Fine Particulate Matter in Several Cities

An increase in fine particulate matter in several cities in the country was reported on Thursday by the Executive Environment Agency (ExEA). According to data published by ExEA, the most significant exceedance was recorded in Sofia, where it ranged from 2.05 to 3.48 times above the norm of 50 micrograms per cu m. In Plovdiv, South Central Bulgaria, the values ranged from 2.18 to 2.82 times above the permissible range; in Pernik, Western Bulgaria, they were 2.8 times higher; in Sliven, Southeastern Bulgaria, they were 2.18 times higher.

Sofia Municipality reported that the level of fine particulate matter in the capital was 148.5 micrograms per cu m on Thursday. On Friday at 1 a.m. it reached 218 micrograms per cu m, while 10 hours later, it was 169.67 micrograms per cu m.

Sofia Municipality has also published recommendations for the public, such as using public transport, shared forms of travel, cycling or walking, and, where possible, switching from solid fuel heating to a different type.