April 2nd 2024
In 2021, 97% of Europe’s urban population was exposed to concentrations of fine particular matter (PM2.5) above the annual guideline level of 5 µg/m3 set by the World Health Organization, according to data reported to the European Environment Agency (EEA).
At least 253,000 deaths in the EU in 2021 were attributable to exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution above the WHO recommended concentration of 5 µg/m3, the EEA estimates.
Eight reporting countries including four EU member states (Italy, Czechia, Croatia and Poland) registered concentrations above the EU annual limit value of 25 µg/m3 in 2021. All 37 reporting countries registered concentrations above the WHO annual guide line level of 5 µg/m3.:
Exposure to air pollution causes or aggravates certain diseases like lung cancer, heart disease, asthma, and diabetes according to estimates of health impacts. Measures to reduce air pollution to WHO guideline levels would prevent these 253,000 attributable deaths and also reduce the number of people who are living with the debilitating health effects of air pollution-related diseases, the EEA states.
Northern Italy and Eastern Europe
The highest concentrations were seen in Northern Italy and some eastern European countries. For Eastern Europe, the high concentrations result largely from use of solid fuels combined with an ageing vehicle fleet. In Northern Italy the high concentrations are due to a combination of a high density of anthropogenic emissions and meteorological and geographical conditions that favor the accumulation of air pollutants in the atmosphere and the formation of secondary particles.
Check your air quality
European citizens can check real-time air quality data through different platforms, including the Air Quality Index app published by the European Environment Agency. The app can be found in Android PlayStore or at Apple iOS.
https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/newsroom/news/health-impacts-from-air-pollution