Air quality 52. Due to the prevalence of heavy industry, the intensive use of low quality fossil fuels, and the substantial lack of modern production and environmental technologies in the CEE countries, air quality problems are reported as the top environmental priority by the majority of experts. Recent rapid growth in the number of passenger cars in the CEE countries is further increasing the load of pollutants in the air, especially in cities. Several areas have been so heavily impacted by air pollution that they are considered environmental hot spots where human health and the environment are at severe risk. It should be noted that while air quality was most often cited as a priority issue, there was some regional variation and water resources were emphasized especially in southern CEE countries.
Air pollution has direct impacts on human health and the state of the living environment.
While air dilutes discharged substances, it also transports them over long distances, contributing to the problems of acid rain and transboundary pollution. Well-targeted and cost effective action against air pollution needs a sound methodology and careful planning. Regional air quality management systems are an example of a promising approach to this issue, however, they are almost non-existent in the CEE region. Water resources 54. Water resources received the next most mention as a top priority environmental issue in CEE countries.