Ecological Patrol

During the heating seasons a specialist drone flies over Szczecin. It is equipped in sensors measuring air pollution levels and precisely determine the pollution sources. The Ecological Patrol is another measure taken up by the City under Climate for Health programme. 

The quality of air we breathe is very important for us all. Szczecin is lucky enough to see the exceeding of acceptable air quality levels only for dozen or so days in a year. However, this fact does not remove the obligation to take up further measures to protect the natural environment. In order to make them even more effective the City utilizes modern technologies such as drones with sensors and electric scooters.

The drone which flies over the City is equipped with sensors that measure the level of air-polluting substances, i.e. PM10, PM2.5 and benzo(a)pyrene. The main source of their increased levels is heating of private houses in the course of incineration of forbidden materials. The use of drone allows to precisely determine the source of pollution and quickly notify the Municipal Police who can fine people breaching the law in this regard following the inspection.

In addition to measuring air pollution the drone also measures the concentration of harmful substances with regards to the areas of their emission which facilitates the monitoring the air-quality situation in the entire city and indentifying the most polluted areas. Such action allows to determine the areas where further action should be implemented.

ATTENTION! DO NOT USE WASTE TO HEAT YOUR HOUSE

Waste incineration produces substances with strong carcinogenic effects. People generate these harmful compounds when using waste in their furnaces and coal boilers. The waste incineration products are being released to the environment, set on plants, articles and enter our bodies together with air we breathe in.

Dioxins, furans, aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen chloride which are produced during waste incineration have negative effect on our health – they may cause cancers of various parts of our bodies (dioxins are one of the strongest toxins with very toxic effect on human health which can manifest itself as late as after several decades).

High PM10, PM2.5 and benzo(a)pyrene levels are recorded during heating seasons, particularly in January, February, March, November and December. The main reason behind their high levels are emissions connected with heating private houses. That’s why the material we use to heat our houses is so important.

It is forbidden to burn contaminated wood waste, i.e. treated or lacquered wood, materials contaminated with chemicals (soaked textiles), drink, pain, lacquer or solvent plastic containers and bottles, used tires and other rubber waste, plastic packages and treated cardboard in heating devices.

For a few years now the Municipal Police and officers from the Department of Municipal Economy, Environmental Protection has been conducting inspections in this regard. A fine of up to PLN 500 (or even to PLN 5000 when the matter is referred to court) may be imposed on persons who use waste to heat their houses.