Thousands of Swedes die prematurely of air pollution

When you walk on the thick layer of gravel that covers the streets in central Östersund, it crashes loudly under the feet. Five years ago, the municipality began to measure the air quality in the city center. Since then, Östersund has exceeded the limit value for what is approved air quality each year.

– When the air quality is at its worst, we exceed the limit value by ten times as much, says Hanna Lundqvist, environmental strategist in the municipality of Östersund.

According to the latest figures from 2023 compiled by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Visby has the worst air in the country. Close then comes Östersund. During the spring when the roads thawed and cars still have double tires, the situation is the worst. The tire tires tear up the particles PM10 in the air which are harmful to health.

Despite the risk of human health, it has been difficult for the municipality to reach the residents with how serious the situation is.

– I think there is a self-image in Östersund that we live near the mountains, are not a big city and thus cannot have a bad air quality, says Magnus Andersson, (C) chairman of the Environment and Social Committee in the municipality of Östersund.

– It is difficult to convey the seriousness when the effects of the bad air come much later. It’s not like when someone gets hit on the street, people immediately notice.

In a study from Umeå University in 2022, researchers together with the state environmental institute IVL investigated the consequences of being exposed to air pollution for a long time. The result showed that 6,700 early deaths occur annually in Sweden due to air pollution.

In Östersund, the municipality has implemented a number of measures to reduce the particles in the air. To keep the dust on the ground, the roadways are treated with a saline solution. A special gravel machine has been purchased that both spreads the gravel and uses hot water to paste it to the ground.

– We have also received money in the municipality’s framework budget to work with behavioral measures, such as campaigns for walking and cycling, says Hanna Lundqvist.

– But unfortunately, there is no political will to introduce the harsh measures required to reduce car traffic.

Previously, the municipality proposed that 300 parking spaces should be removed to reduce traffic in the center. The proposal received massive criticism from business, citizens and some politicians. In the end, the municipal management chose to reverse.

– We have the best measuring equipment, clear legislation and we have overrides. But the car norm is strong and then it becomes difficult to do something, says Hanna Lundqvist.

By 2030, new and sharper limit values ​​for air quality are introduced throughout the EU, which will lead to more municipalities having to do something about the air quality. According to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, it is still the environmental quality standard for particles PM10, which is the biggest challenge for Sweden. This will mean requirements for more action programs for more municipalities.

In Östersund, the leading parties in the City Council have proposed a special working group that will look at solutions that can hold over the coming term. If the municipality does not improve air quality, it also risks inhibiting growth.

– Air quality is a very clear basis for assessment when the county administrative board reviews our detailed plans. If an environmental quality norm is exceeded or cannot be fulfilled, the detailed plan should not go through, says Hanna Lundqvist.

– We are a growth municipality and then this can make it more difficult for us to, for example, build housing or plan establishments, Magnus Andersson fills in.