Air Pollution In Europe: Cities With The Worst Air Quality

Air pollution is a significant health risk in Europe, causing morbidity and reducing life expectancy. While air pollution emissions have declined over the last two decades, resulting in better air quality, it remains a pressing issue. This is especially true in certain parts of Europe, where socioeconomic factors, residential sources, and industrial activity contribute to higher levels of air pollution. So, where is air pollution the worst in Europe, and what is being done to address this issue?

Northern Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic have high PM2.5 mortality rates

In Poland, the city of Warsaw has been the subject of studies examining the short-term health effects of particulate matter on its inhabitants. The results indicate that PM2.5 increases the relative risk of all-cause premature deaths and cardiovascular mortality. Central-Eastern Europe, Northern Italy, and the Balkans have been identified as regions of particular concern regarding PM2.5 levels.

The Po Valley in Italy, southern Poland, and the eastern Czech Republic have been identified as areas with high mortality rates attributable to PM2.5. The city of Brescia in Italy, for example, had the highest percentage of natural mortality attributed to fine particulate matter, with 15% of deaths associated with PM2.5 exposure.

The high mortality rates in these regions are influenced by various factors, including the use of coal and wood for heating, agricultural practices, and industrial activities. These sources of combustion contribute to elevated levels of PM2.5, which has been recognised as carcinogenic to humans and a leading factor in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

To address the issue, the European Union has implemented directives aimed at improving air quality and reducing pollution levels. The EU's Zero Pollution Action Plan outlines targeted local and national measures to reduce fine particulate matter levels. Additionally, the updated EU directive empowers citizens to take legal action against their governments if pollution-related health problems arise due to non-compliance with air quality rules.

NO2 mortality is highest in major and capital cities in western and southern Europe

Air pollution is a pressing issue in Europe, with fine particulate matter contributing to about 239,000 deaths on the continent. While policies have led to improved air quality in Europe over the past three decades, air pollution still poses significant risks to health in some European cities.

NO2 mortality, driven primarily by car traffic and the industrial sector, is a particular concern in major and capital cities in western and southern Europe. These cities, often characterized by high levels of industrialization and urbanization, face elevated health risks associated with NO2 exposure.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established air pollution guidelines, recommending a maximum level of 5 μg/m3 for fine particulate matter. Compliance with these guidelines could prevent 900 deaths per year due to NO2 exposure. Additionally, reducing air pollution to the lowest measured concentrations could prevent up to 79,435 deaths per year attributed to NO2.

The impact of NO2 on mortality varies across cities, ranging from 0 to 73 deaths per 100,000 population when the lowest measured concentrations are considered. Large cities and their smaller neighboring counterparts in western and southern Europe, including capitals, bear the brunt of NO2-related mortality.

To address this issue, some European countries are taking proactive steps. For instance, Denmark is poised to become the first nation to implement a carbon tax on livestock farming in 2030. Additionally, the updated EU directive empowers citizens to take legal action against their governments if pollution-related health issues are not adequately addressed in accordance with EU air quality standards. These collective efforts reflect a commitment to curb pollution levels and mitigate the health risks associated with NO2 mortality in western and southern Europe's major and capital cities.

North Macedonia has the most polluted air in Europe

Air pollution has been linked to lung cancer, heart and respiratory diseases, stroke, and poor birth outcomes. It is particularly dangerous for older people, causing about 4% of all deaths among adults aged 65 and older. Long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with serious health outcomes, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, along with mortality.

In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its air quality guidelines, lowering the recommended threshold for annual concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) such as dust, smoke, and soot from exhaust. Fine particulate matter is the air pollutant with the highest impact on health in terms of premature death and disease. It is also a significant burden on healthcare systems, as people live with diseases caused by exposure to air pollution.

Environmental risk factors such as air pollution and climate change are growing threats to public health. Scientists now know more about the health impacts of air pollution, and it appears that it poses a risk to people at lower levels than previously recognized. Improving air quality to match WHO-recommended levels could prevent more than half of the premature deaths caused by exposure to fine particulate matter.

The EU has adopted strict policies on air quality, such as the Ambient Air Quality Directives, which set standards for 12 air pollutants and define common methods to monitor, assess, and inform the public about ambient air quality. The Zero Pollution Action Plan sets a target of improving air quality by 2030, with a focus on reducing PM2.5 levels to decrease the number of premature deaths caused by air pollution.

Central and Eastern Europe and Italy have the highest concentrations of particulate matter

Air pollution is a serious issue in Europe, posing risks to health and the environment. While policies have been implemented to improve air quality, it remains a significant challenge, particularly in certain regions. Central and Eastern Europe and Italy have been identified as areas with the highest concentrations of particulate matter, which has severe health implications for residents.

Particulate matter, specifically PM2.5, refers to tiny particles in the air such as dust, smoke, and soot from exhaust. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with various health risks, including lung cancer, heart and respiratory diseases, and stroke. It is a major concern in Europe, with the World Health Organization (WHO) providing guidelines to protect public health. According to the WHO's updated guidelines in 2021, the recommended threshold for annual concentrations of PM2.5 was lowered, recognizing the dangers of exposure even at lower levels.

Central and Eastern European countries, along with Italy, have reported elevated levels of particulate matter, primarily due to the burning of solid fuels for domestic heating and industrial activities. Residential sources, such as burning coal for heating homes, and the agricultural sector, contribute significantly to the high levels of PM2.5 in these regions. The socioeconomic factors and income levels in these areas also play a role, as lower-income groups tend to be more exposed to air pollution.

The high concentrations of particulate matter in Central and Eastern Europe and Italy have severe health consequences. The vulnerable groups, including older adults, children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, are particularly at risk. The impact of air pollution extends beyond health, affecting Europe's economy due to increased healthcare costs, reduced life expectancy, and lost workdays.

To address this issue, the European Union (EU) has set ambitious targets to reduce pollution-linked deaths by 55% by 2030. The EU's Zero Pollution Action Plan focuses on PM2.5 reduction to achieve this goal. Local and national measures are being implemented to effectively lower PM2.5 levels, in line with the objectives of the Zero Pollution Action Plan. These measures include targeted initiatives in various sectors, such as transport, residential heating, and agriculture, to reduce particulate matter emissions.

The EU's Ambient Air Quality Directives set standards for 12 air pollutants

While air pollution in Europe has improved over the last three decades, it still poses a risk to health in some cities. The European Environment Agency provides an air quality viewer that ranks cities from the cleanest to the most polluted, based on the average concentration levels of fine particulate matter.

The directives also guide the assessment of air quality by supporting a high-quality monitoring network with over 4,000 stations across the EU. This network enhances the use of air quality modelling and ensures the exchange of reliable, objective, and comparable information. The directives further aim to develop effective air quality plans to prevent exceedances of EU standards.

The 12 air pollutants regulated by the directives include particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide, benzene, benzo(a)pyrene, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, and lead. These pollutants have been associated with serious health impacts, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as premature deaths.

In addition to the directives, the European Environment Agency's Urban PM2.5 Atlas provides country fact sheets that offer insights into the spatial and sectoral contributions to air pollution in each urban area. These fact sheets also highlight effective measures for reducing fine particulate matter levels, supporting the EU's Zero Pollution Action Plan.

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