Almost a third of Europe's city dwellers are exposed to excessive concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM), one of the most important pollutants in terms of harm to human health as it penetrates sensitive parts of the respiratory system. The EU has made progress over the past decades to reduce the air pollutants which cause acidification, but a new report published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows that many parts of Europe have persistent problems with outdoor concentrations of PM and ground level ozone.
Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik 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, EEA 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."
The EEA's 'Air
quality in Europe — 2012 report' examines citizens' exposure to air pollutants
and provides a snapshot of air quality in Europe. The report is intended to
support the development of more effective clean air policies.
Key
findings
• Particulate matter (PM) is
the most serious air pollution health risk in the EU, leading to premature
mortality. The report estimates that in 2010, 21 % of the urban population
in 2010 was exposed to PM10 concentration levels higher than
the most stringent, daily, EU limit value designed to safeguard health. Up to
30 % of the urban population was exposed to finer PM2.5 concentration
levels above the (less stringent) yearly EU limit values. According to the WHO
reference levels, which are even tighter than those imposed by EU law, respectively
up to 81 % and 95 % of urban dwellers were exposed to PM
concentrations that exceed the reference values set for the protection of human
health – underlining the urgency of the coming review of air legislation.
• Ozone (O3) can
cause respiratory health problems and lead to premature mortality. Exposure in
cities is very high – 97 % of EU urban inhabitants were exposed to O3concentrations
above the WHO reference level in 2010. 17 % were exposed to concentrations
above the EU target value for O3. In 2009, 22 % of arable land
in Europe was exposed to damaging concentrations of O3, leading to
agricultural losses.
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is
a major cause of eutrophication (excessive plant and algal growth in water) and
acidification, and also contributes to the formation of PM and O3.
In 2010, 7 % of Europeans living in cities were exposed to NO2 levels
above the EU limit values. National emissions of nitrogen oxides in many
European countries still exceed emission ceilings set by EU legislation and
under United Nations agreements.
• Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a
carcinogen. A considerable proportion of the urban population in the EU
(20-29 % between 2008 and 2010) were exposed to concentrations exceeding
the EU target value, which must be met by 2013. The increase in BaP emissions
in Europe in recent years is therefore a matter of concern.
• Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is
a big success story: emissions have been reduced significantly in recent years
thanks to EU legislation requiring the use of emissions scrubbing technology
and lower sulphur content in fuels. 2010 was the first year that the EU urban
population was not exposed to SO2 concentrations above the EU
limit value.
• Carbon monoxide, benzene and
heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, nickel, lead) concentrations in outdoor air are
generally low, localised and sporadic in the EU, with few exceedances of the
limit and target values set by EU legislation.
Next
Steps
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 European Commission is preparing a review of EU
air legislation in consultation with stakeholders and will put a particular
emphasis on air pollution policies in 2013.
Background
Poor air quality can cause heart disease,
respiratory problems, lung cancer, breathing difficulties and other illnesses.
Some pollutants can lead to eutrophication, reduced agricultural crop yields,
decreased forest growth and have an impact on the climate. Emissions of several
pollutants have fallen in recent years, resulting in improved air quality in
some areas. However, they have not always resulted in a corresponding drop of
atmospheric pollutant concentrations. The persistent air quality problems
require further efforts in mitigating the emissions of several pollutants.
Source: www.eea.europa.eu
26 September, 2012.