Sulphur dioxide emissions from shipping have sharply decreased in EU ports thanks to stricter EU rules for sulphur content in fuels used by ships at berth or at anchor in ports. JRC scientists measured key air quality parameters in Mediterranean harbours before and after the entry into force of the low-sulphur requirements in January 2010. They found that in the EU harbours Civitavecchia, Savona, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, the concentration of sulphur dioxide had fallen by 66% on average. Sulphur dioxide is one of the main chemicals responsible for formation of acid rain and particulate air pollution, posing risks to health and the environment. Measurements taken in the port of Tunis, where the EU rules do not apply, showed that levels of this noxious substance remained the same.

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