Air pollution a serious problem across the country

Forty eight percent of the Czech Republic’s inhabitants, or about five million people, breathe polluted air, according to data released by the Czech Hydro-meteorological Institute. The amount of dust particles and other dangerous substances exceed permissible levels for long intervals at a time in Prague, central Bohemia, Usti nad Labem and almost the entire Moravia and Silesia, according to the report. The degree of pollution has significantly worsened in the smaller towns as well which is being attributed to the fact that due to the higher cost of living many people have gone back to using brown coal as a form of heating. The sale of brown coal went up by 15 percent in 2010. In the worst affected areas doctors say there is a confirmed link between air-pollution and the low birth weight of children as well as a higher incidence of asthma and allergies. The lower house is now to debate a legislation which should give both municipalities and the government greater powers in fighting air pollution.