Last year, the Czech Republic experienced excellent air quality, with concentrations of some harmful substances reaching their lowest levels in the past decade. This positive development was reported by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) in its preliminary assessment of 2023.
No emission limits for fine dust particles PM10 and PM2.5 were exceeded for the first time. Similarly, like in previous years, emission limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) were not surpassed. This indicates a significant improvement in air quality, reflecting the effectiveness of the environmental policies.
The favorable meteorological and dispersion conditions largely contributed to these results. “The relatively good air quality in the Czech Republic, except for ground-level ozone (O3), in the year 2023, was primarily due to significantly lower concentrations of air-polluting substances during the winter period when favorable meteorological and dispersion conditions prevailed,” meteorologists stated.
However, it’s important to note that the emission limit for ground-level ozone exceeded six percent of stations last year. Despite this, no station in the Czech Republic surpassed the emission limit for the annual average concentration of NO2 for the fourth consecutive year.
In conclusion, these findings reflect the progress made in improving the air quality in the Czech Republic. However, the data also emphasizes the need for continued and focused efforts to reduce ozone levels. The commitment to clean air is a commitment to the health and well-being of all Czech citizens.