Meghan Hodges
Europe's pollution problem is a pressing issue, with air pollution causing approximately 400,000 premature deaths annually. While air pollution levels are declining, 94% of Europe's urban population remains exposed to harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5) above WHO guideline levels. Eastern European and Balkan countries suffer the highest rates of air pollution and related deaths, with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Albania, and Ukraine having the highest mortality rates attributed to air pollution. Turkey is the most polluted country in Europe, followed by Poland. Large European industries, coal power plants, and agricultural ammonia emissions are significant contributors to air pollution, causing environmental damage and adverse health effects. Water pollution is also a concern, with drinking water sources facing increasing pressure from pollution, droughts, and floods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution | Continues to decline, but 94% of the urban population is exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) above WHO guideline levels. |
| Air pollution sources | Cars, power plants, households, and agriculture. |
| Premature deaths due to air pollution | 400,000 (2019 figure). 391,000 in 2016, according to another source. |
| Top causes of premature deaths in the EU | PM2.5, ozone, nitrogen oxides, and ground-level ozone. |
| Countries with the highest mortality rates attributed to air pollution | Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Albania, and Ukraine. |
| Countries with the highest average annual levels of city air pollution | Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Poland, and Hungary. |
| Countries with the lowest average rate of air pollution | Scandinavian countries, Finland, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Sweden, France, Switzerland, and the UK. |
| Water pollution | Drinking water sources in Europe are generally clean and safe to consume, but some countries have lower water quality than others. |
| Most polluted country in Europe | Turkey, with an overall score of 6.1/10. |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution in Europe: premature deaths and health risks
Air pollution is a significant issue in Europe, with far-reaching consequences for both the environment and public health. While levels of air pollution in Europe have been decreasing, the impact of pollution on health remains a critical concern, contributing to premature deaths and various health risks.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is the most important environmental risk to human health. Heart disease and stroke are the most common reasons for premature deaths due to air pollution, followed by lung disease and lung cancer. In 2019, it was estimated that air pollution caused 400,000 premature deaths in Europe. This figure equates to 7% of annual mortality, with more than 400,000 deaths attributed to PM2.5 exposure and over 70,000 deaths linked to NO2 exposure. The mortality burden varies across European cities, indicating the urgency of policy interventions to reduce air pollution and foster sustainable and healthy communities.
The European Environment Agency's (EEA) analysis highlights the environmental and health costs of industrial pollution in Europe, which have decreased by a third from 2012 to 2021. However, air pollution from large-scale industries continues to cause significant harm to the environment and people's health. Coal power plants are among the most polluting facilities, contributing significantly to the overall damage.
The impact of air pollution extends beyond premature mortality. Living with diseases related to air pollution imposes a substantial burden on individuals and societies. The European Green Deal's zero pollution action plan aims to improve air quality by 2030, targeting a minimum 55% reduction in premature deaths caused by PM2.5 exposure compared to 2005 levels. This goal is likely to be achieved if EU policies on air, climate, and energy are effectively implemented.
Air pollution also has economic implications for Europe, resulting in increased healthcare costs, reduced life expectancy, and lost working days across sectors. Clean air is essential for human health and well-being, and addressing air pollution is crucial to mitigate one of the greatest risk factors for public health. While progress has been made, continued enforcement of policies targeting air pollution reduction is necessary to protect the health and well-being of Europe's population.
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Water pollution: pressure on drinking water sources
Europe's water resources are under pressure from pollution, over-exploitation, eutrophication, physical alterations to water habitats, and climate change. The quality of drinking water in Europe has improved over the years, but pollution remains a significant challenge.
Agriculture is the most significant source of water pollution, accounting for 59% of freshwater use in Europe in 2017. Agricultural runoff containing nutrients, pesticides, and sediment can contaminate surface and groundwater sources, requiring additional treatment to make the water safe for drinking. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), 22% of Europe's surface water bodies and 28% of groundwater areas are significantly affected by diffuse pollution from agriculture.
Urban areas also contribute to water pollution. Pollutants from roads, pavements, and atmospheric deposition can wash into nearby surface waters, and during heavy rainfall, combined sewer overflows can discharge untreated sewage and urban runoff into water bodies. Industrial emissions, mining activities, and waste water treatment plants are additional sources of water pollution in Europe.
Climate change further exacerbates the pressure on Europe's water resources. Increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, and more frequent droughts and floods impact water availability and quality. According to the EEA, climate change is projected to decrease water availability in Europe, particularly in southern regions already facing water stress.
To address these challenges, the European Union (EU) has implemented various directives, including the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the Urban Waste Water Directive, the Nitrates Directive, the Drinking Water Directive, and the Groundwater Directive. These directives aim to protect and manage water resources, improve water quality, and ensure the sustainable use of freshwater and marine ecosystems. While progress has been made, more efforts are needed to meet the WFD's targets for good status surface and groundwater by 2027.
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Most polluted countries: Turkey, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Europe's pollution problem is twofold, with both air and water pollution causing significant issues. While air pollution across Europe is declining, 94% of the urban population is exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) above WHO guideline levels. This is the pollutant most harmful to human health. In 2021, over 1,200 deaths in people under 18 years of age were estimated to be caused by air pollution in EEA member and collaborating countries.
Eastern European and Balkan countries suffer the highest rates of air pollution and air pollution-related deaths. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Albania, and Ukraine have the highest European mortality rates attributed to air pollution. Bosnia and Herzegovina is listed as the worst European performer in this regard. In 2012, the country suffered nearly 231 deaths per 100,000 people.
Turkey also faces significant air pollution issues, with eight out of the ten most polluted cities in Europe located within the country. These cities are Batman, Hakkari, Gaziantep, Siirt, Afyon, Karaman, Iğdır, and Isparta. Istanbul, home to 16 million people, has dangerously high air pollution levels. WHO datasets show that PM 2.5 annual mean levels for Istanbul are 33 μg/m3, three times more than the recommended limit of 10 μg/m3.
Poland has the worst air pollution in Central Europe, with 33 of the continent's 50 most polluted cities. The country's reliance on coal to power its homes and economy is a major contributor to poor air quality. The burning of coal in Warsaw, for example, has led to thick smog and harmful air pollution, with residents experiencing adverse health effects. It is estimated that up to 44,000 Poles die prematurely each year from ailments related to poor air quality.
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Pollution hotspots: Po Valley, Krakow, London
Europe's air pollution continues to decline, but 94% of its urban population is exposed to particulate matter (PM2.5) above WHO guideline levels. This is the pollutant most harmful to human health. Industrial pollution is a significant contributor, with coal power plants responsible for half of the damage. The burning of solid fuels for domestic heating and industrial use has also led to Central-eastern Europe and Italy reporting the highest concentrations of particulate matter.
Po Valley, Italy
The Po Valley in northern Italy has been identified as a pollution hotspot, with high levels of anthropogenic emissions and stagnant meteorological conditions. By 2020, it was predicted that the health impact of air pollution on the population and ecosystems would be among the highest in Europe, with fine particulate matter levels expected to reduce life expectancy by ten months. Local control measures are crucial in the Po Valley to effectively reduce air pollution.
Krakow, Poland
Krakow has gained a reputation for its smog, with many commuters witnessing the grey, smoky sky as they enter the city. The burning of low-quality coal in stoves and transport pollution from personal vehicles are significant contributors to the poor air quality in Krakow. In 2019, Krakow became the first Polish city to transition to sustainable fuels for heating, and plans are underway to improve the city's air quality further.
London, United Kingdom
London has some of the highest air pollution levels in the UK, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels frequently exceeding UK legal and WHO limits. A 2015 study by King's College London estimated that London's air pollution contributes to 9,400 premature deaths annually, with a substantial economic impact. The city's diverse population is affected differently, with those living near busy roads and in deprived areas experiencing greater health risks.
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Reducing pollution: EU policies, environmental bills, and challenges
Europe is facing environmental challenges of an unprecedented scale and urgency. While European environment and climate policies have delivered substantial benefits, such as cleaner air and water, and there has been good progress made towards reducing air pollution from industry, transport, and households, the continent continues to consume more resources and contribute more to environmental degradation than other world regions. Over 10% of annual premature human deaths in the EU are related to environmental pollution, and in 2021, over 1,200 deaths in people under 18 years of age were estimated to be caused by air pollution every year in EEA member and collaborating countries.
To combat this, the European Commission has adopted the EU Action Plan: "Towards a Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil", which is a key deliverable of the European Green Deal. The zero-vision for 2050 is for air, water, and soil pollution to be reduced to levels no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystems, creating a toxic-free environment. The European Green Deal also includes a Chemical strategy for sustainability to better protect citizens and the environment against hazardous chemicals. The EU has also committed itself to achieving a circular economy with a focus on green growth, making industry more sustainable, and reducing industrial emissions.
The EU's Ambient Air Quality Directives set air quality standards for 12 air pollutants and define common methods to monitor, assess, and inform the public on ambient air quality in the EU. The European Commission has proposed an updated directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, with a key goal being to bring EU standards closer to recommendations from the WHO. The European Air Quality Index provides information on the current air quality situation based on measurements from over 2,000 air quality monitoring stations across Europe.
However, the EU faces challenges in reducing pollution. For example, reducing ammonia emissions remains the biggest challenge, as they have decreased only slightly in many member states since 2005 and have increased in some cases. The agriculture sector is the principal source, responsible for 93% of total ammonia emissions. Additionally, while there has been progress in reducing air pollution from industry, just a small fraction of the most polluting facilities, many of them coal power plants, cause half of the total damage. Furthermore, the current number and intensity of actions to reduce noise pollution must be increased if the number of people affected by transport noise is to be reduced by 30% by 2030, as set out in the Zero Pollution Action Plan.
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Frequently asked questions
Air pollution is a serious issue in Europe, with 94% of the urban population exposed to harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5) above the maximum limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). This is the pollutant most harmful to human health and is a top cause of premature deaths in the EU.
According to a 2018 ranking, Turkey is the most polluted country in Europe, with high levels of carbon dioxide pollution and PM2.5 concentrations. Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Albania, and Ukraine also have high mortality rates attributed to air pollution.
The agriculture sector is responsible for 93% of total ammonia emissions, the most challenging pollutant to reduce. Pollution from cars, power plants, and households also contribute significantly to poor air quality.
