Greek islands have less air pollution than mainland

Air pollution on the islands is at low levels compared to mainland Greece.

“On all islands, the levels of suspended particulate matter below 2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5] showed that the average annual concentration is below the limit value [25 µg/m3] set by the European Union’s Air Quality Directives,” said Anna-Maria Kotrikla, assistant professor at the Department of Shipping and Business Services at the University of the Aegean, which coordinated the measurements conducted by the ENIRISST National Research Infrastructure.

“The highest average annual concentrations are recorded on Lesvos (15.0 μg/m3) and Samos (13.3 μg/m3), while the lowest are on Syros (7.40 μg/m3),” she added.

Stoves and fireplaces remain the main source of heating on northern Aegean islands such as Lesvos, Samos and Chios, as is evidenced by the increased levels of particulate matter in winter.