Polluted air in Athens has become an ally of the extremely high summer temperatures, creating a dangerous combination for human health. Many residents of the country’s most populous region are suffering from these conditions, as the overall air quality is considered moderate, with an air quality index (AQI) around 58.
Areas with the most polluted air in Athens
This specific index measures fine particulate matter (PM 2.5, PM 1) that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems. The measurement ranges from 0, which corresponds to excellent air quality, to 300, which indicates very unhealthy conditions.
According to Professor of Environmental Engineering at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Dimosthenis Sarigiannis, the areas of Athens with the most polluted air are:
- Thrakomakedones: AQI index 71, PM 2.5: 20 μg/m³
- Maroussi: AQI 71, PM 2.5: 20 μg/m³
- Nea Smyrni: AQI 64, PM 2.5: 16 μg/m³
- Peristeri (Station): AQI 60, PM 2.5: 14 μg/m³
In contrast, areas of Athens with the lowest concentrations of microparticles and less polluted air are:
- Korydallos with AQI 33 and PM 2.5: 6 μg/m³,
- Petroupoli (Nikitara) with AQI 38 and PM 2.5: 6.9 μg/m³,
- Rizari with AQI 44 and PM 2.5: 8 μg/m³,
- Eleusina with AQI 44 and PM 2.5: 8 μg/m³, and
- Haidari (Syrou Street) with AQI 50 and PM 2.5: 9 μg/m³.
Why polluted air becomes worse in summer
“These pollutants that create polluted air, usually in combination with atmospheric ozone, tend to concentrate in the city’s periphery during summer due to photochemical pollution. Intense solar radiation combined with pollutants from cars and human activities worsens the situation,” explained Dimosthenis Sarigiannis speaking to ertnews.
The expert emphasized that this is mainly related to atmospheric photochemistry and reactions that occur in the atmosphere, which create secondary pollutants that worsen air quality.
Health impacts of polluted air
The measurements from Aristotle University regarding polluted air come, according to “Apogeymatini,” at a time when scientists are sounding louder alarms about the planet’s climate future. They openly call summer heat waves “silent killers”.
According to recent research by scientists at Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, approximately 2,300 people may have died from heat-related causes in 12 European cities during the heat wave from June 23 to July 2 this year. In Athens, 96 such cases were recorded.
Future predictions for polluted air and climate
A study by researchers from the National Observatory of Athens on thermal stress based on future climate scenarios found that it is expected to be very strong and increase. From now on, heat waves will be more frequent, more intense and longer-lasting, while also worsening polluted air.
“During the period we analyzed, from 1991 to 2020, taking into account real data and not future scenarios, we already observed that it has increased,” explained the director of research at the Athens Observatory, Kostas Lagouvardos, speaking to APE.
The expert warned: “The most moderate scenarios show an increase for the future of +1.5 degrees, while the most pessimistic show +3. In large urban centers, the continuous thermal burden on people is a very important problem and dimension of climate change“.
Dangerous week with high fire risk
Speaking of heat waves, high temperatures and atmospheric drought conditions will prevail in the country until Sunday, July 20, 2025. This is the hot cocktail Hot–Dry–Windy, which causes a significant increase in flammability throughout the country.
Dead vegetation favors the onset and rapid spread of fire even during nighttime hours. According to the Fire Risk Prediction Map, very high fire risk (risk category 4) is predicted for the Athens region, Central Greece (Boeotia, Evia), the Peloponnese (Corinthia, Argolida), Crete and the North Aegean (Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Icaria).
August without cooling winds
The cooling August winds that we used to pin our hopes on every July for a breath of fresh air have now become archival material in literary books and light songs. So this year too, the last month of summer is expected to be warmer than normal, which will further worsen polluted air.
In a long-term forecast from meteo, it is stated that there are only 4% chances for normal August temperatures, 35% chances for temperatures higher by 1 degree, 38% chances for temperatures up to 2 degrees higher than normal levels and 23% chances that this year’s August will record temperatures higher than average even above 2 degrees Celsius.
