Editing Sofia (section)

=== Environment ===
The geographic position of the Sofia Valley limits the flow of air masses, increasing the chances of air pollution by particulate matter and [[nitrogen oxide]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediapool.bg/druzhba-nadezhda-i-pavlovo-sa-s-nai-mrasen-vazduh-v-sofiya-news190733.html|title="Дружба", "Надежда" и "Павлово" са с най-мръсен въздух в София – Mediapool.bg|work=mediapool.bg|date=16 March 2012 |access-date=13 August 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121659/http://www.mediapool.bg/druzhba-nadezhda-i-pavlovo-sa-s-nai-mrasen-vazduh-v-sofiya-news190733.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Solid fuel used for heating and motor vehicle traffic are significant sources of pollutants. Smog thus persists over the city as [[Inversion (meteorology)|temperature inversions]] and the mountains surrounding the city prevent the circulation of air masses.<ref name="SG1"/><ref name="AFP"/> As a result, air pollution levels in Sofia are some of the highest in Europe.<ref name="NYT1">{{cite news|first=Danny|last=Hakim|title=Bulgaria's Air Is Dirtiest in Europe, Study Finds, Followed by Poland|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/15/business/international/bulgarias-air-is-dirtiest-in-europe-study-finds-followed-by-poland.html?hp&_r=0|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=15 October 2013|access-date=15 October 2013|archive-date=23 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723155416/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/15/business/international/bulgarias-air-is-dirtiest-in-europe-study-finds-followed-by-poland.html?hp&_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Particulate matter]] concentrations are consistently above the norm.<ref name="AFP">{{cite AV media |date=20 December 2015 |title=Environment: Sofia, most polluted capital of Europe |medium=News report |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCQPxk8uBSM | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/HCQPxk8uBSM| archive-date=2021-10-30|access-date=26 October 2018|publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> During the October 2017 – March 2018 heating season, particulate levels exceeded the norm on 70 occasions;<ref name="SG1">{{cite web|url=https://sofiaglobe.com/2018/04/04/air-pollution-in-sofia-other-bulgarian-cities-hugely-exceeded-norms-several-times-this-winter/|title=Air pollution in Sofia, other Bulgarian cities hugely exceeded norms several times this winter|publisher=The Sofia Globe|date=4 April 2018|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-date=26 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026222412/https://sofiaglobe.com/2018/04/04/air-pollution-in-sofia-other-bulgarian-cities-hugely-exceeded-norms-several-times-this-winter/|url-status=live}}</ref> on 7 January 2018, PM10 levels reached 632&nbsp;μg/m<sup>3</sup>,<ref name="SG2">{{cite web|url=https://sofiaglobe.com/2018/01/06/bulgaria-bad-air-quality-in-sofia-on-saturday/|title=Bulgaria: Bad air quality in Sofia on January 6 2018|publisher=The Sofia Globe|date=6 January 2018|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026222458/https://sofiaglobe.com/2018/01/06/bulgaria-bad-air-quality-in-sofia-on-saturday/|archive-date=26 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> some twelve times the EU norm of 50&nbsp;μg/m<sup>3</sup>.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/standards.htm|title=Air Quality Standards|publisher=[[European Commission]]|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022181400/http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/standards.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Even areas with few sources of air pollution, like [[Gorna Banya]], had PM2.5 and PM10 levels above safe thresholds.<ref name="SG2"/> In response to hazardous spikes in air pollution, the Municipal Council implemented a variety of measures in January 2018, like more frequent washing of streets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bnt.bg/en/a/sofia-municipal-council-adopted-measures-to-tackle-air-pollution|title=Sofia Municipal Council Adopted Measures to Tackle Air Pollution|publisher=[[Bulgarian National Television]]|date=25 January 2018|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-date=27 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027061521/https://www.bnt.bg/en/a/sofia-municipal-council-adopted-measures-to-tackle-air-pollution|url-status=live}}</ref> However, a report by the [[European Court of Auditors]] issued in September 2018 revealed that Sofia has not drafted any projects to reduce air pollution from heating. The report also noted that no industrial pollution monitoring stations operate in Sofia, even though industrial facilities are active in the city. A monitoring station on Eagles' Bridge, where some of the highest particulate matter values were measured, was moved away from the location and has measured sharply lower values since then.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.standartnews.com/english/read/brussels_sofia_has_no_projects_targeting_air_pollution-13174.html|title=Brussels: Sofia has no projects targeting air pollutionКопирано от fidget.bg|newspaper=Standard|date=12 September 2018|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027061542/http://www.standartnews.com/english/read/brussels_sofia_has_no_projects_targeting_air_pollution-13174.html|archive-date=27 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Particulates are now largely measured by a network of 300 sensors maintained by volunteers since 2017.<ref name="SG1"/> The [[European Commission]] has taken Bulgaria to court over its failure to curb air pollution.<ref name="AFP"/>