Air pollution - Drivers and pressures (Lithuania)

The largest sources of emissions to air in Lithuania are the energy, industry and transport sectors. As a result of increased energy efficiency, emission reduction measures and district heating, average annual concentrations of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and heavy metals have not recently exceeded the set limit values for Lithuanian cities. Urban air quality mainly depends on transport emissions. Due to the growing number of motor vehicles in larger cities, average 24-hour concentrations of particulate matter (PM₁₀) in areas of heavy traffic sometimes exceed the set limit values, which can contribute to the aggravation of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Owing to the chemical features of the tropospheric ozone formation and the meteorological conditions of this process, the highest ozone concentration was observed in suburbs or rural areas, away from other sources of emissions. During the period 2003–2007, ozone levels did not exceed the target value stipulated in the EU Ozone Directive at any measuring stations.