Air pollution is a serious issue in Europe, but we are forced to acknowledge that even though efforts are being made to reduce it, pollution is still a part of our daily lives.
Many people, afraid of being unable to do anything about it, prefer not to think about it. However, a better understanding of this phenomenon allows us to understand the risks and better address them.
To help you understand what pollution is, here you will find articles by researchers, links to responsible websites, real-time data, relevant authors, etc.
In 2019, ambient (outdoor) air pollution in cities and rural areas was estimated to be responsible for 4.2 million premature deaths per year worldwide; this mortality is due to exposure to fine particles, which cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as cancers.
According to WHO estimates, in 2019, some 68% of premature deaths linked to outdoor air pollution were due to ischemic heart disease and stroke, 14% to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 14% to acute lower respiratory infections, and 4% to lung cancer.
Transport, domestic activities and agriculture are the main contributors to air pollution-related deaths in European cities, a new study by the Institute for Global Health in Barcelona found.
The research centre analysed two of the main pollutants in the atmosphere, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particle matter (PM2.5). Emissions from vehicles lead to 50 per cent of all NO2-related deaths, followed by industrial pollution and fumes generated by the energy sector.
Air pollution causes harm to people at all stages of life, researchers from Imperial College London have found.
The report, commissioned by the Greater London Authority, found exposure to certain particles could lead to miscarriages, cause low sperm count and stunt children’s lung growth.
Later in adulthood, it could also cause chronic illnesses, cancer and strokes.
In response, the government said it fully understood the importance of improving air quality.
The team from Imperial’s Environmental Research Group looked at evidence from more than 35,000 studies over 10 years.
It is good news for all citizens that we have stricter air quality rules in place in the EU from today , but too many people in Europe, especially in cities, still suffer the harmful consequences of poor air quality, such as illness and premature death, which are largely preventable by reducing the levels of these pollutants in the environment. Air pollution also has broader negative impacts and damages the health of our ecosystems: it is therefore even more important that we redouble our efforts to clean the air we breathe.
Leena Ylä-Mononen Executive Director of the EEA Published 19/12/2024 Published 19/12/2024
Air pollution is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources.
Vehicle emissions, fuel oils and natural gas to heat homes, by-products of manufacturing and power generation, particularly coal-fueled power plants, and fumes from chemical production are the primary sources of human-made air pollution.
Nature releases hazardous substances into the air, such as smoke from wildfires, which are often caused by people; ash and gases from volcanic eruptions; and gases, like methane, which are emitted from decomposing organic matter in soils.
Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later.
Some health effects may show up shortly after a single exposure or repeated exposures to a pollutant. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the person’s exposure to the source of the pollution, if it can be identified. Soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants, symptoms of some diseases such as asthma may show up, be aggravated or worsened.
The likelihood of immediate reactions to indoor air pollutants depends on several factors including age and preexisting medical conditions. In some cases, whether a person reacts to a pollutant depends on individual sensitivity, which varies tremendously from person to person. Some people can become sensitized to biological or chemical pollutants after repeated or high level exposures.
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