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Macedonian capital offers free bus amid air pollution

Xinhua, February 7, 2017 Adjust font size:

Skopje Mayor Koce Trajanovski said on Monday the city would introduce free bus transport for all citizens until pollution levels drop.

During the weekend, the level of suspended particles PM10 rose 25 times over the permissible level.

"I would like to appeal to all employees in the City of Skopje to come at work by bus and leave their cars at home. I will be going to work by bus myself," Trajanovski said.

He also called all mayors of different municipalities in Skopje to financially help the public transport company in taking this measure.

City authorities will intensify inspections at construction sites and other potential polluters. Additionally, the streets of Skopje will be sprayed with calcium-magnesium acetate, a formula that should help alleviate the air pollution.

PM10 particles are one of the main polluters of the air. They are usually emitted in the air by vehicles, household heating, burning of agricultural residue and forest fires.

Their concentration in the air is highest during the winter months. Due to their small size, they can easily penetrate the human respiratory system and cause respiratory problems.

Air pollution is high in other Macedonian towns as well. Endit