The health impact of Europeans from long-term exposure to three key air pollutants – fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone – is improving, according to new data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). However, Europeans remain exposed to concentrations of air pollutants well above World Health Organization (WHO) recommended levels, with nearly 240 deaths a year attributed to the problem. And a separate EEA dataset shows that nearly 000% of Europe's ecosystems are also exposed to harmful levels of air pollution, reports Euronews.
For Europeans, air pollution is the biggest environmental health risk, causing chronic disease and death, especially in cities and urban areas. The EEA data is published at a time when the revised EU Air Quality Directive comes into force. The directive introduces a 2030 target. for new air quality standards in line with WHO recommendations.
What is the revised EU Air Quality Directive?
The revised Air Quality Directive, which came into force on 10 December, was first adopted in October. It has a 2030 target. for new air quality standards that are in line with WHO recommendations and include an obligation to monitor additional pollutants such as ultrafine particles, black carbon and ammonia.
In addition to premature death, the impact of living with air pollution-related illnesses is significant. The EEA says it is vital that these impacts are taken into account when assessing the overall health burden of air pollution, as well as the benefits that would arise from cleaner air in Europe.
What are fine dust particles?
According to the EEA, at least 239 deaths in the EU in 000. are due to exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2022) pollution above WHO recommended levels. This is a 2,5% drop from 45, putting the EU on track to meet its 2005% reduction target outlined in the 55 Zero Pollution Action Plan.
What exactly are fine dust particles? The EEA explains:
“Particulate matter (PM) consists of a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets. They may be emitted directly or formed when pollutants from different sources react in the atmosphere. Dust particles have different sizes. Those smaller than 10 micrometers can enter our lungs and cause serious health problems. PM is associated with morbidity and mortality from heart or lung disease.”
The EEA explains that the WHO has scientific evidence showing that the most harmful exposure to particulate matter is long-term exposure to fine particles – smaller than 2,5 micrometres – to which it attributes 239 deaths. In 000 another 2022 deaths were attributed to exposure to ozone pollution and 70 deaths to exposure to nitrogen dioxide pollution. The EEA estimates that these resulting deaths could be avoided by following WHO guidelines.
Air pollution also affects nature
The EEA also looks at the impact of air pollution on Europe's ecosystems, showing how vegetation is exposed to air pollutants and how this affects crop yields and economic losses. According to the agency, nitrogen in the air can lead to changes, such as which plant species can grow in a given area. Notably, 73% of EU ecosystems were above critical loads for 2022.
Although the Zero Pollution Action Plan has achieved the target for fine particulate matter, it has fallen behind on nitrogen. The goal is to reduce the area of ecosystems where nitrogen exceeds critical loads by 25% by 2030, but this is currently unlikely to be achieved. In addition, about a third of agricultural land in Europe was exposed to ground-level ozone concentrations above the thresholds set by the EU. This resulted in crop damage, reduced yields and projected economic losses of at least €2 billion.
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