European Environment Agency study finds that almost a third of continent’s city dwellers exposed to excessive concentrations of particulate matter, writes Caelia Quinault
Almost a third of Europe’s city dwellers are exposed to excessive concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM), one of the most harmful pollutants to human health, according to a report published today (September 24).
The ‘Air Quality in Europe — 2011 Report’ from the European Environment Agency says that EU has made progress over the past decades to reduce the air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and benzene (C6H6).
Map showing annual mean concentrations of PM2.5 in Europe in 2010 (red dots signify the highest levels of pollution)
But, it claims that other pollutants still present a serious threat to the health of Europeans and their environment. In particular it says that many parts of Europe have persistent problems with outdoor concentrations of PM and ground level ozone. In the UK, it notes that daily limit values for PM10 were exceeded, but only in London.
The report pulls together concentration measurements in ambient air and data on anthropogenic emissions and trends from 2001, when mandatory monitoring of some pollutants first began, to 2010.
Focus
Commenting on the study, environment commissioner Janez PotoÄnik said: “This report is a timely reminder of how important air quality is to the health of our citizens. This is why I want 2013 to be the Year of Air and why I will focus on strengthening our air quality laws to tackle the problems identified today.”
Professor Jacqueline McGlade, European Environment Agency executive director, said: “European Union policy has reduced emissions of many pollutants over the last decade, but we can go further. In many countries, air pollutant concentrations are still above the legal and recommended limits that are set to protect the health of European citizens. In fact, air pollution reduces human life expectancy by around two years in the most polluted cities and regions.”
Key findings:
Analysis
In recent years, the EEA has published annual information on air pollutant emissions and exceedances of emission ceilings under the National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive. Later this year, the EEA will publish a retrospective analysis of whether the health and environmental objectives of the NEC Directive for 2010 have been met.
The EEA report will feed into the European Commission’s review of EU air legislation in consultation with stakeholders.
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