(ANSA) - BRUSSELS - The European Commission is asking the Czech Republic to comply with EU legislation requiring Member States to limit citizens' exposure to fine dust particles (PM10) by defining specific limit values to be observed. If the Czech Republic fails to act, the EU Commission may take the matter to the EU Court of Justice. The latest figures from the Czech Republic show that the maximum daily limits for these particles is being exceeded in Praha, Stredni Cechy, Severozapad, Severovychod (except for 2008), Brno, Stredni Morava, Moravskoslezsko and Ostrava/Karvina/Frydek-Místek, with yearly limits also being exceeded in Moravskoslezsko and Ostrava/Karvina/Frydek-Místek.

These PM10 tiny particles originate in emissions from industry, traffic and domestic heating, and they can cause asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death. The Commission considers that the Czech Republic has failed to take measures that should have been in place since 2005 to protect citizens' health, and is asking it to take forward-looking, speedy and effective action to keep the period of non-compliance as short as possible. Today's reasoned opinion follows an additional letter of formal notice sent on 22 February 2013. (ANSA)