The Royal Łazienki - a haven of fresh air in Warsaw

The air in the Royal Łazienki is considerably cleaner than in other parts of the capital, according to a research conducted by the team of Professor Stanisław Gawroński - a phytotechnologist from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. The numerous trees form a barrier against pollution.

According to the World Health Organisation and the European Environment Agency, the level of air pollution in Poland is one of the highest in Europe. In Warsaw, the main source of pollution are exhaust fumes emitted by vehicles.

Pollution can only be eliminated by plants, which in the process of evolution have developed a number of protection mechanisms enabling them to survive in unfavourable conditions.

Scientific research conducted in the recent years led to the discovery of phyteromediation (the name comes from the Greek phyto, i.e. a plant, and the latin remedium, i.e. a means to counteract evil) - a new method of using plants in order to “repair” the degraded environment.

As it turns out, plants contribute to an environment that is safer for themselves, and at the same time safer for other living organisms, including humans.

The Royal Łazienki is a good example of such influence of plants on the environment, which can be restored to its natural state in the process. A key role is played by trees, which absorb heavy metals from the ground and amass them in their trunks and roots, where they become “locked away” for decades, or even hundreds of years.

Nowadays, when the pollution of air with the so-called particulate matter constitutes the biggest threat to the natural environment on a world scale, trees provide an effective barrier. The particulate matter is accumulated on the surface of leaves and in young sprouts, hairs, and wax.

According to a research conducted by the team of Professor Stanisław Gawroński - a phytotechnologist from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, the amount of particulate matter suspended in the Royal Łazienki gardens - 50 meters from the entrance near the Aleje Ujazdowskie avenue - is 2/3 lower than in the outer perimeters of the gardens. The same amount is maintained in the inner parts of the gardens.

This means that the Royal Łazienki is, for Warsaw, a haven of much cleaner air, which makes it a perfect destination for parents with small children, seniors, and people with respiratory and cardiovascular system problems.