How polluted is Athens?

[coleman]

I remember reading about the big problems with air pollution in Athens all the way back to the 90s. Is this still a big problem in the city?

[Damoulakis_George]

the problem is almost fixed now,
due to (a) the economic crisis which stopped (i) the many many many moving cars and (ii) the factories closed down,
(b) the petrol and gas engines are better now
and (c) the Athens METRO, it is estimated that 1 mil people use it everyday.

[111401]

Hello Courtney,

Well, that is how things are till now! Pollution is a always a big issue in Athens.

[Panayotis_Economopou]

Yes it is polluted but the biggest problem in people's minds these days is the economic crisis and their empty pockets from the loss of income, unemployment and overtaxation!

[EFSTATHIOS_MELETIS]

Situation has improved lately.

[Oscar_Valero]

Even if the situation has improved, the data delivered regularly by the Ministry of Environment shows that the problem is far to be fixed. The metro and public transport is still only connecting properly some areas of metropolitan Athens and the cars are extensively being used in a regular basis for that reason.

[gtourkas]

The short answer is that there is still some air pollution but only in the city centre and way below the alarm levels. There is currently a decent subway network in the city and the majority of the vehicles are new and as such more environment friendly.

Perhaps you can draw your own conclusion by checking this:

http://www.ypeka.gr/Default.aspx?tabid=708&locale=en-US&language=el-GR

[Pavlos_S]

I also think that the problem with the pollution in Athens is not exist anymore .... at least in the size it used to be in the 80s and 90s ...
Better automobiles, new metro, new busses, and many traffic prohibitions have change the problem we used to have in the centre of Athens. Because the suburbs were and still remain in better condition ....

[Kostas_Yiatilis_MacF]

Pollution is no longer a problem in Athens. Cars are only allowed to drive half the days of the month in the inner part of the city, plus the Metro.

[Irida_K]

Air pollution is a problem in all big cities, and Athens is no exception. But it's not as it was in the 90s for sure! It's not like walking in the countryside, but it doesn't bother you. And as all the aforementioned answers, the crisis and metro helped a lot. All in all, you can walk around the city center easily and not be bothered by air pollution at all ^_^

[vasilis8488]

The situation is better than in the 90s because of better cars and better public transportation. But it is noticeably more polluted than the average European city of 5 million people. People living in the metropolitan area of the city still use their cars to commute to work because the public transportation network is either inefficient or underdeveloped. And it also depends on the area. Metropolitan Athens area has a 20 to 30 km radius from the center. The northern and southern suburbs -excluding Piraeus- have better conditions. Also it doesn't rain very often. In winter lately because of the financial crisis many use cheap improper materials for fuel for their stoves and fireplaces. Apart from air pollution, random garbage in the streets or full public garbage bins is a common sight in whole Athens metropolitan area.

[Athanasios_Triantafy]

Athens is ok
Compared to the 90s it has improved dramatically, not only due to the financial crisis as many mentioned, but more because of the evolution of car technology - catalytic cars etc.
I have lived in other large cities in Europe and I can tell you, you will not see or feel any difference.
The only issue is maybe during the winter, when Athenians start feeling cold at 15 Celsius and light up their fire places. There are days, especially when we have south winds + fire places... then the air is getting a bit "heavy"
All in all Athens is not a polluted city, but rather a dirty city, as people who live here do not respect the city or do not care about keeping the place clean (complete lack of respect and education).

[Rhonda_Jo_Campbell]

I don't know about air pollution....but there is definitely a litter and trash issue.