The Ecopolis Centre for Sustainable Policies will measure nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations at 50 locations across Bucharest over one month, as part of the European “See What You Breathe” campaign.
Using 100 passive sampling tubes, NO₂ levels will be measured in different areas of the city to assess traffic-related air pollution.
The campaign is taking place simultaneously in nine EU countries: Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Poland and Romania. It is coordinated by the Polish Smog Alert association and funded by the Clean Air Fund.
Nitrogen dioxide is an invisible pollutant produced mainly by fuel combustion. In Bucharest, road traffic is one of the main sources of NO₂ emissions, and concentrations can vary from one area to another.
In Romania, nitrogen dioxide pollution has been a concern for the European Commission since 2020, when infringement proceedings were initiated against the country due to NO₂ limit values being exceeded in five cities: Bucharest, Brașov, Cluj-Napoca, Iași and Timișoara.
The European Union Directive 2024/2881 on ambient air quality introduces stricter standards that must be met by 2030. For NO₂, the annual limit value will be reduced from 40 µg/m³ to 20 µg/m³ as of 1 January 2030. Member states have until December 11 of this year to transpose the directive into national legislation.
Bucharest faces a serious problem both in terms of nitrogen dioxide pollution and the insufficient monitoring of this pollutant.
“Bucharest faces a serious problem both in terms of nitrogen dioxide pollution and the insufficient monitoring of this pollutant. Without complete, accurate and representative data, authorities cannot properly assess population exposure or adopt effective measures to protect public health. Supplementary monitoring using passive sampling tubes is an accessible and effective way to identify areas with high NO₂ concentrations, particularly along heavily trafficked roads,” Oana Neneciu, Executive Director of the Ecopolis Centre for Sustainable Policies, explained.
“The results of these measurements should serve as the basis for effective public policies to reduce pollution, rather than remain just statistics. Bucharest needs an improved monitoring network, as well as bold measures to reduce pollution, particularly the introduction of a Low Emission Zone across the city, which would limit emissions generated by road traffic and help provide cleaner air for residents,” she added.
The passive sampling tubes will collect nitrogen dioxide from the air over a period of 28 days, across all six districts of Bucharest. Of the 50 locations, 22 are located along main boulevards, 22 on secondary streets, five near schools and one in a park. The locations were selected based on common criteria established for all partner countries involved in the project. The samples will subsequently be analyzed at a laboratory in Switzerland.
According to the European Environment Agency, approximately 34,000 deaths in the European Union in 2023 were attributable to exposure to nitrogen dioxide concentrations exceeding the recommended level. In Romania, the number of deaths attributable to exposure to this pollutant was estimated at 2,218 in the same year.
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