Premature deaths from fine particles PM2.5 air pollution in regional capitals of Slovakia during 2016-2020 period.

Objectives: The purpose of this quantitative study is to assess the impact of fine particles air pollution in major cities of Slovakia. The study aims to estimate number of premature deaths from long-term exposure to fine particles PM_2.5 in eight regional capitals of Slovakia in the period 2016-2020. Consequently, the study aims to conduct a comparative analysis using secondary derived indicators.

Methods: For calculations of estimated premature deaths from long-term exposure to fine particles PM_2.5 air pollution we used standardized methodology developed by the World Health Organization and the European Environment Agency.

Results: The annual average of estimated premature deaths from PM_2.5 air pollution in the studied period was in Bratislava 353, Košice 219, Prešov 84, Žilina 90, Banská Bystrica 76, Nitra 73, Trnava 59, and Trenčín 52. In relative terms per 1,000 inhabitants Bratislava had annual average 1.14 of estimated premature deaths, Košice 1.32, Prešov 1.38, Žilina 1.61, Banská Bystrica 1.35, Nitra 1.35, Trnava 1.27, and Trenčín 1.31. Bratislava as the largest city in Slovakia recorded the smallest relative number of estimated premature deaths. The worst results were recorded by the city of Žilina.

Conclusions: The estimated number of premature deaths from long-term exposure to particulate matter air pollution in the regional capitals decreased in the given period. The most of the regional capitals with the exception of Bratislava and Žilina, showed similar levels of estimated premature deaths. However, the current geopolitical situation and rising energy prices threaten return to solid fuel burning which is the largest source of particulate matter air pollution in Slovakia and thus reversing positive trends.