Over half population breathing air containing dangerous levels of carcinogens

Over half the population breathed air containing dangerous levels of carcinogens last year, according to a government study quoted by the news website aktualne.cz. Twenty-two of the Czech Republic’s 31 air measuring stations recorded levels of the chemical benzopyren at above set health limits, the report found. While limits were exceeded on under 5 percent of the country’s territory, 51 percent of the population live in those areas. Benzopyren is created by the burning of coal and oil and in the production of coke and iron. The cabinet is likely to discuss the report next week, aktualne.cz said.