Announcement of the Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki for the consequences of the smog in Thessaloniki

The explosive increase of the smog these days highlights the horrible consequences to the environment and the health of the people  that are caused by the memoranda austerity measures, as well as  the deadlock energy, residential and developmental post war strategy in Greece.

The smog, product of the burning of biomass and chemically processed wood, charges even more the atmosphere of the cities and has long term effects on the health of the human population. The dramatic multiply of the gas pollutants is a serious danger for health and requires drastic measures to confront it. What is proved from international experience, with the characteristic and symbolic example the similar crisis of London in 1952, there is a straight correlation  of the cause of morbidity and mortality iat situations of an over polluted atmosphere. The most vulnerable groups of the population are the ones who suffer from respiratory and cardiovascular problems, as well as the ones who live in extreme socioeconomic conditions (there have already been everyday examples of deaths from suffocation and arsons, caused by the weakness of getting warm).

The extreme straight effects usually attract the interest of the mass media. However, there are extremely important consequences from the long term exposure to the air pollution.  The smog itself consists of particles of organic combinations and metals, products of burn of under-products of heating. These particles, as it has been proved from a series of international researches have carcinogen action, the results of which are going to become obvious some years later, not now! At this point, it is important to highlight   that at the procedure of carcinogen there are no safe limits of exposure. From this point of view, the announcement of the government that they will take measures if the smog overpasses the limits that  the government itself  sets is scientifically undocumented, misleading and dangerous for the public Health.

According to what is said above, we consider that taking the necessary measures is absolutely necessary!, that are going to give the possibility of heating on the basis of the existing house infrastructure (gas, oil, electricity) so that the present situation stops immediately. In parallel, we consider that todays crisis highlights as a direct priority the need for configuration  of a complete sustainable strategic planning for the confrontation both of the major needs of the housing heating and for the protection of the environment in cities.

Io. Pantis & Al. Benos, professors at AUTH, Thessaloniki, Greece