Smog in Athens and Attica rose by 2 to 2.5 times, higher than the usual cold evening in the Greek capital due to the massive traditional grilling on Tsiknopempti, the Smokey Thursday, on February 16. Speaking to state broadcaster ERT, Director of Research of the Athens Observatory, Evangelos Gerasopoulos, said …
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Athens residents urged to stay inside due to heavy smog caused by forest fire
With an urgent warning the National Observatory of Athens called on residents of the Greek capital to stay at home with closed doors and windows due to the high concentration of micro-particles PM2.5 as a heavy smog cloud caused by the Varibobi forest fire has covered the Attica basin. “The …
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Toxic cloud “suffocates” Athens after fire in recycling plant
The air stinks. Tonnes of paper and plastic have been burning for the last four days. A dark cloud full of toxic fumes takes the breath of millions of residents in the western of Athens. The toxic cloud has prompted the Education Ministry to have schools in the area closed …
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Greek measures against winter smog: either cook & freeze or heat & get hungry
“All electrical devices should be turned off, should consumers use air-conditioners for heating.” This advice is been given to Greeks in the context of measures against the air pollution (smog) and thus during the days the smog hits alarming levels. The measure “A/C on, all electric devices off” aims to …
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Air pollution via fire places? Frankly, my dear, Greeks don’t give a damn
Greeks got a new top issue to spend the winter with: heating oil tax and heavy air pollution. The conflict between government and citizens will remain unsolved until temperatures start to rise again by end of March. While the citizens demand the reduction of heating oil tax, the government insists …
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Greek ministries recommend: avoid use of fireplaces, Dec 21-22/2013
For one more weekend, the ministries of Environment and Health issued a statement suggesting that citizens avoid the use of fireplace and wood stoves due to high levels of air pollution (smog). It is the second consecutive weekend that Greek authorities issue such a statement, exactly when freezing Greeks stay …
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Catch up with weekend news: taxes, health care and smog
It’s always difficult to catch up with the news if there has been a blogging break for a couple of days. And it is more difficult when re-start blogging occurs on a Monday. Nothing extraordinary important occurred during the weekend. Bloggers need a break from time to time, to step …
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Greek gov’t “orders” citizens not to use fireplaces, Dec 14-16/2013
Greek Ministers for Health and Environment issued a joint statement on Saturday evening asking the citizens to refrain from unnecessary use of fireplaces. Stressing that the weather conditions favor the accumulation of atmospheric pollution (smog), the two ministries ask citizens to refrain from using their home fireplaces from Saturday evening …
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Greeks rather die from fireplace smog than pay exorbitant heating oil prices
Everybody is warning us. The Environment Ministry, the National Centre for Disease Control & Prevention, the Greek Doctors’ Association. They all urge us to immediately stop burning wood in the fireplaces and stoves and turn on the heating oil or natural gas system to comfortably pass through the cold winter days. …
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Athens suffocates as Greeks burn wood and chat about the heating problem
That was the number one topic over Christmas dinners and lunches, among family members, relatives and friends: the heating! “Do you heat this winter?” was the first question after the exchange of the usual Holy Fest wishes, the kisses and the admiration of the Christmas tree. The moment the aunts, …
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Athens under attack! Heat-wave, public-transport strike & ‘smog’ take our breath away!
Athens is boiling today! 36 C in shadow, 45 C in the sun (measured in my balcony) . Dust from the Sahara turns heaven yellow Traffic jam in all major streets. This morning people left their homes for work by driving their own cars. Metro drivers are on a 48-hour strike. …
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