1960: The French Minister for Environment and Health visited Greece. Looking at the statistics of the country, he noted that since 1920, there has been a systematic violation of fields and woodlands.
47 years later, the prophecy made with the most dramatic fashion.
Let us see the truth head on, regardless of party beliefs: The impact of the fires would not only be economic and productive.
The quality and quantity of oxygen in the atmosphere is marginally points. Only 30% oxygen in the atmosphere is rich in poisonous pollutants. The recent fires have increased the dangerous pollutants, in places highly alarming:
Ozone
Secondary pollutant, which created the effect of light from carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Forest fires intensify the phenomenon.
Suspended particles (PM10)
They cause respiratory diseases, malfunctions and aggravate symptoms in people with cardiovascular disease, etc.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
The action of the pollutant that creates acid rain. Seriously damages people, flora and fauna. It causes severe respiratory diseases, asthma attacks.
Benzene (C6H6)
The carcinogenic compound! Cause cancer, leukemia, blood diseases. Several sailors and people who come into contact with oil and derivatives, vehicles, etc. are particularly vulnerable. Prefers and that by the weather, leading Athens to be comparable to other urban areas such as London.
According to the annual reports of the Ministry, higher pollutants were particularly elevated levels in recent years. The pollutants fires that destroyed our country, are mainly particulate matter, lead and cadmium, and are expected to be recycled into the atmosphere for a long time. The ozone molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms and produced by ... characteristics of sulfur dioxide and suspended particles.
Also, the sulfur dioxide (SO3), carbon monoxide (CO) and lead (Pb) - although found in 2006 at lower levels, after the fires are expected dramatic increase.
Increased Pollutants and in classrooms!
The entire class discussed in a recent survey by the Departments of Physics and Chemistry of the University of Athens, measured up to four times more than normal concentration of carbon dioxide, a high concentration of dangerous pollutants such as formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds and radon.
Score one in four students complained during the course of headaches, one in ten for respiratory problems and for throat discomfort etc.
From measurements showed that the concentration of carbon dioxide are up to six times greater than the upper limit set by the World Health Organization during the winter and four times greater in the spring and autumn.
Ozone and Destruction of Forests
The great sunshine and ultraviolet radiation during the summer months in Greece sharply increase ozone, which affects forests, such as cigarette lungs of a smoker The Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems and Forest Products Technology, having studied the effects of ozone in the Greek forests concluded that ozone affects the health of forest trees and vegetation in general. Infected trees have reduced growth of roots and leaves, producing less viable seeds and are more sensitive to other pollutants, extreme weather, insects, and diseases. Accordingly reduced health and biodiversity of ecosystems.
