Tarnobrzeg fights for clean air

Tarnobrzeg struggled with air quality issues, with residents and environmental groups voicing concerns. The city’s single air monitoring station couldn’t meet demand for granular data across all of the city’s neighbourhoods. In 2018, Tarnobrzeg partnered with Airly, installing 10 sensors, with an additional 2 added in 2024.

 

Partnership overview

Decision-making process: why choose Airly?

Tarnobrzeg needed low-cost, reliable monitoring tools in response to anti-smog legislation. Key decision-makers, including the Environment Department and the mayor, chose Airly for its:

• Transparent data: Easy-to-understand, publicly accessible air quality information.
• 24-hour forecasts: Helping the city predict and prepare for pollution spikes.
• User-friendly interface: Easy for residents to navigate.

 

Implementation

• 10 Airly sensors were installed in key public buildings across districts.
• In 2024, 2 more sensors were added for full city coverage.

 

Results

Key quantifiable results:

• Air quality improvement: The city now stays below the exceedance days threshold for pollution, as per national standards.
• Between 2012 and 2024, the number of days on which daily WHO standards for PM10 were exceeded decreased from 65 to 10. During the same period, for PM2.5, the number of days fell from 246 to 155.
• Engagement: In 2024, residents clicked 3,165 times on sensor data.
• Pollution levels: Tarnobrzeg’s pollution is below the regional average.

Key qualitative results:

• Behavioural shifts: Public awareness led to greater participation in the Clean Air Programme (Czyste Powietrze), with 9,000 outdated heating systems replaced.
• Improved enforcement: The municipal police used Airly data to identify problem areas and conduct inspections, improving anti-smog enforcement.
  

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