Smog alert issued for Barcelona

The Catalan regional government has issued a pollution alert for Barcelona that is set to last for the entire weekend, with people encouraged to take public transport and to reduce their speed on motorways.

Published: 9 January 2015 09:28 CET

Barcelona periodically suffers from heavy smog with industry and traffic both playing a role. Photo: AFP

The alert, issued at 6am on Friday morning according to Barcelona based newspaper La Vanguardia, was put in place because of a strong anticyclone that is currently preventing the dispersion of nitrogen oxide particles in the atmosphere.

On Monday, January 12th, environmental experts will test the air quality in the city to see if the pollution alert can be lifted.

As well as reducing the speed limit on motorways, environmental authorities are encouraging people to take public transport if they need to get around the city and are also calling on electricity companies and cement factories to reduce their harmful emissions.

The pollution alert is part of the Plan to Improve Air Quality, which was passed in September 2014, which the objective to comply with the limits set by the city’s laws.

Barcelona periodically suffers from heavy smog with industry and traffic both playing a role.

The city's topography and geographic location are also contributing factors. When there is a lack of wind, the mountains behind Barcelona can service to trap toxic smog.

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