On February 3, the measurements of air pollution in different parts of the Basque Country, as well as in the town of Tolosa, showed high figures. It was quite hot, there was hardly any wind blowing, which enabled the measurements to show significant variations. According to the air quality measurement devices measuring 10 PM particles, in Gipuzkoa the highest levels occurred in the area of San Sebastian, where there are two meters and in both, more than 100 micrograms per cubic meter were measured. In Tolosa, 89 micrograms per cubic meter were also measured.

On the website of the Department of the Environment of the Basque Government you can see the PM10 particle graph in Tolosa on 3 February.

Here, the same day in Easo Square of Donostia / San Sebastián, of the particle PM10

According to GARIKOITZ Plazaola, of the Ecologist Group Eguzki, if you measure between 71 and 100 cubic meters the air quality is poor and above 101 is very bad. In San Sebastian they were at that bad moment, therefore, last week, and in Tolosa, on the other hand, the level did not rise to that point, “but at one point the meters of the city were around 89. At one point we had bad air to breathe.”

The amount was not maintained throughout the day, as it then went down to 70, “but it is not appropriate, even though it is not so serious”. Plazaola has also pointed out that the data provided call attention because they have been given at an average of 24 hours, “not only for the measure at a given time”.

The measurements that have been made in several cities and towns of Euskal Herria show, therefore, that the air is quite polluted, that is, that the air that is bad for breathing has been concentrated. Current legislation provides that the limit for the protection of human health should be 50 micrograms per cubic metre for 24 hours and that when more than 35 times a year, measures should be taken.

Beyond the data

Beyond the data provided by the measurements, Eguzki's colleague has made a different reflection: "This means that our day-to-day, at work, in companies... are more contagious than we think. Pollution is there, we generate it, but fortunately it spreads depending on weather conditions and the effects are less direct. But there's pollution."

Particles Pm 10

Plazaola has also explained what PM 10 particle meters are: ‘PM 10 measures small particles, i.e. particles 100 times smaller than one millimeter. Of course, our eyes cannot see those particles, but that does not mean that they are not harmful." These meters measure cement dust, pollen, ash, metal particles... The generators of these particles are mainly due to inadequate combustion, such as the inadequate combustion of the engines of the cars.