Ekologistak Martxan presented the Gipuzkoan results of a citizen science campaign this Wednesday, which measured nitrogen dioxide presence in 412 educational settings across 66 urban centers nationwide. The findings are stark: all school points analyzed in Donostia and Errenteria surpass the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation of 10 micrograms per cubic meter (10 µg/m3).
Furthermore, the Jesuitas and Colegio Inglés schools in Donostia are among the top-15 most polluted locations in all of Spain. Kepa Olaiz, from the environmental association, stated that “we have a lot of work to do and little time.” During the press conference held at the San Sebastián City Council, with the support of EH Bildu and Elkarrekin Podemos, Olaiz reported that 16 of the 26 monitors installed in these two municipalities also exceed 20 micrograms per cubic meter, the new air quality target approved by the European Union Council for 2030.
“"We have a lot of work to do and little time."
Of the three municipalities analyzed in Gipuzkoa, only Oiartzun showed data below the WHO recommendation, although all are within current regulations. With the collaboration of 600 volunteers in Euskadi, Ekologistak Martxan installed passive measurement devices between November 5 and November 26 last year to determine NO2 levels. This toxic gas irritates the respiratory tract, causing acute or chronic bronchitis depending on exposure time and degree. Pollution particularly affects school-aged children, who, due to their physical development, breathe more frequently than adults, making them more susceptible to allergies, childhood asthma, cardiorespiratory diseases, and neurocognitive disorders.
In the Gipuzkoan capital, sensors were placed in Ategorrieta, Amara Berri, and the City Center. In Errenteria, selected points included school environments, such as the entrance to Koldo Mitxelena Institute. In Oiartzun, monitors were placed in the courtyards of Haurtzaro Ikastola and Elizalde Ikastetxea. Oiartzun's favorable results are attributed to low motorized traffic and abundant vegetation. The study emphasizes that the presence of motorized traffic is a key determinant of air quality, leading Olaiz to call for measures to promote active mobility, discourage private vehicle use, and control pollution in sensitive areas.
