
Finally, it reviews the status of emissions of key air pollutants regulated in the EU and assesses emissions trends over the period 2005 to 2019. In addition, it estimates the potential health benefits of attaining the relevant EU air quality standards and WHO guideline values for fine particulate matter, while assessing progress towards the health-related objective of the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan. It presents the health impacts of exposure to key air pollutants in 2019. This report gives the status of concentrations of pollutants in ambient air in 20 presented by pollutant, as it relates to both EU air quality standards and the new WHO guideline levels. The European Union (EU) has also set standards for key air pollutants in the ambient air quality directives. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) published new air quality guidelines following a systematic review of the latest scientific evidence of how air pollution damages human health. This concern is reflected in increasing public engagement around air pollution challenges, including ongoing citizen science initiatives engaged in supporting air quality monitoring along with initiatives targeting public awareness and behavioural changes ( EEA, 2020). The majority of European citizens consider the health impacts of air pollution to be a very serious problem ( European Commission, 2019). Air pollution also has considerable economic impacts, reducing life expectancy, increasing medical costs and reducing productivity through working days lost across different economic sectors. Exposure to air pollution can lead to a wide range of diseases, including stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, trachea, bronchus and lung cancers, aggravated asthma and lower respiratory infections. Sources and emissions of air pollutants in EuropeĪir pollution continues to have significant impacts on the health of the European population, particularly in urban areas.Health impacts of air pollution in Europe.In 2019, emissions of all key air pollutants in the European Union continued to decline despite an increase in gross domestic production.Ĭhapters of the Air quality in Europe 2021 report:.


Where you live has an impact on the risks to which you are exposed.

Despite improvements, air pollution is still a major health concern for Europeans.
