In Moldova, polluted air is the second leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases after tobacco consumption, causing 12% of all deaths. The information was presented by the National Agency for Public Health in the context of the International Day of Clean Air for a Blue Skies, marked on September 7.

According to the Agency, fine suspended particles that pollute the air are mainly generated by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for energy production and transportation, waste incineration, agriculture, chemicals and mining, residential pollution, etc.

Air quality in Moldova is influenced by emissions from three types of polluting sources. This includes fixed stationary sources, which include co-generation power plants and boiler houses, industrial enterprises in operation. And mobile sources, which include road, rail, air, river and agricultural transport.

“On the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, we call on everyone, authorities, civil society and members of the public alike to take action to reduce air pollution, which also affects other critical issues such as climate change, human health , as well as living and socio-economic conditions”, the Agency said in a press release.