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National Offices: Poland

Polish Public Health Council publishes first-ever position on the health impact of air pollution and climate change

HEAL in Poland welcomed the first position (in Polish) of the Public Health Council on the steps necessary to reduce the exposure of people in Poland air pollution and the effects of climate change.  The Public Health Council is an advisory body to the Minister of Health. Their positioning is particularly important in the context of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) which entered into force on 10 December 2024.

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First patient in Poland officially diagnosed with illness caused by smog: a year in review

While the health impacts of air pollution are well-documented in scientific studies, this factor has not been recognized in Polish medical diagnoses as a primary cause of health issues until a breakthrough case last year. As highlighted by HEAL in Poland in May 2023, an eleven-year-old boy, Maciek (name changed), suffered for most of his life from a persistent cough, shortness of breath, and frequent infections, all of which worsened during the heating season. After a prolonged struggle by Maciek’s parents to find the true cause of his health issues, a conclusive opinion was finally issued, stating: “suspected bronchial hyperreactivity/allergy due to air pollution.” 

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Polish health experts call for a coal phase out, as smog season starts

Every year, air pollution in Poland reaches its highest levels during the smog season in winter. In view of the unacceptably high health burden and health costs from poor air quality, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and health experts urge the Polish government to increase efforts to reduce pollution in the energy sector. This includes setting a swift date for phasing out coal combustion in Poland, as well as accelerating the Just Transition in the energy sector.  

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HEAL Poland joins roundtable discussions on health and climate

The threat pollution and climate change pose to human health took center stage at the expert-led "Climate for Health" debate held at the headquarters of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw. The event was co-organized by the think tank Medical Ration of State and "Rzeczpospolita" newspaper in April, bringing together prominent health experts, representatives of the Polish Parliament, Ministries and civil society. HEAL Poland took an active role in the exchange.

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Health sector meeting with Poland’s Ministry of Climate and Environment: say yes to the AAQD deal!

This afternoon, the HEAL Poland team, together with 25+ health experts, health organisations and civil society representatives, met Ministry of Climate and Environment Secretary of State Bolesta, to discuss the ongoing revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD), on which negotiators reached a deal last week. Participants included HEAL partners Prof. Michał Krzyżanowski, Prof. Tadeusz Zielonka, Prof. Bolesław Samoliński, Dr Piotr Dąbrowiecki.  

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