The authors say public understanding of the main sources and health effects remains low, and everyday protective actions are limited.
“Exposure to air pollution is the most important environmental risk factor, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and cancers,” said Prof. Mateusz Jankowski, a co-author of the report.
“Issues of environmental health are still insufficiently present in the public debate,” he added.
The study found widespread confusion about what makes air dangerous to breathe. While 71 percent of respondents named carbon dioxide, the pollutants that present the greatest health risk are fine particles known as PM2.5 and PM10, recognized by only 36 to 39 percent.
PM2.5 and PM10 are microscopic particles, smaller than 2.5 and 10 micrometers respectively, that can penetrate deep into the lungs and the bloodstream.
Only half of respondents identified household stoves and boilers as the chief source of emissions, even though so-called “low-stack” pollution from home heating is a major driver of smog in Poland.
A larger share pointed to industry, 72 percent, and transport, 66 percent.
Knowledge of health consequences is uneven. Ninety-one percent agreed that dirty air causes serious disease, with lung conditions and cancers cited most often.
Fewer linked pollution to heart disease, premature death, reduced fertility or diabetes risk.
Respondents identified older adults, people with chronic illnesses, and children as most vulnerable, while only one in three mentioned pregnant women.
Protective behavior remains modest. Forty-four percent reported closing windows during bad air episodes, 37 percent avoided going outside, and 29 percent checked live smog data.
Nineteen percent used air purifiers at home, and 10 percent wore protective masks.
“If only half of Poles identify key emission sources and take precautions, this limits the effectiveness of environmental strategies,” said co-author Dr. Kuba Sękowski.
Three in four respondents said fighting smog should be a priority for public authorities.
Support varies by policy tool. Replacing old home furnaces won backing from 53 percent, taxes on high-emitting companies from 54 percent, and tighter industrial emission limits from 49 percent.
Clean transport zones, which restrict the dirtiest vehicles in designated urban areas, drew support from 27 percent. Closing coal mines was supported by 23 percent, and banning the production of combustion-engine cars by 10 percent.
The report highlights unequal impacts. People in situations of energy poverty, who rely on the cheapest and most polluting heating, face greater exposure and worse health outcomes.
“Air pollution deepens health inequalities in Poland, and reducing those inequalities is a goal of the National Public Health Programme,” said co-author Dr. Justyna Grudziąż-Sękowska.
She added that low awareness blocks healthier choices and weakens backing for effective public policies.
The authors call for stronger education, including adding environmental health to school curricula, and for family doctors, cardiologists and pulmonologists to play a bigger role in patient guidance.
“We hope the data will help spread prevention of environmental risks among Poland’s residents,” said Jankowski.
The findings come from an online survey of 1,092 adults conducted from June 6 to 10 through computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI).
(rt/gs)
Source: naukawpolsce.pl