Danger to life from air pollution: over 250,000 deaths in the EU
According to the EU environment agency EEA, poor air quality remains the biggest health risk posed by environmental conditions. Around 253,000 deaths in the EU in 2021 would have been related to particulate matter levels above the recommended limits of the World Health Organization (WHO), the EEA announced at the EU's Clean Air Forum in Rotterdam.
The EU's goal is to reduce the number of deaths related to particulate matter pollution by 55 percent by 2030 compared to 2005. According to the EEA, the number of deaths has already fallen by 41 percent between 2005 and 2021 as a result of falling air pollution.
"The impact of air pollution on our health is still too high," warned EEA Director Leena Ylä-Mononen. According to estimates, particulate matter causes the greatest health burden through heart disease, followed by strokes, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and asthma.
More than 30,000 deaths in Germany
According to the figures, 32,300 deaths in Germany are linked to too much particulate matter in the air. The highest mortality rates are in the eastern and southern countries, said Ylä-Mononen. Around 40 European countries were included in the report.
The WHO had lowered the recommended limits for PM2.5 particulate matter in 2021 - for the average annual exposure from 10 to 5 micrograms (thousandths of a gram) per cubic meter of air. PM2.5 refers to fine dust particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres (thousandths of a millimetre). PM2.5 particles can sometimes penetrate into the alveoli of the lungs and into the bloodstream.
In addition to particulate matter, NO2 and ozone are also problematic
According to the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), particulatematter consists of a mixture of solid and liquid particles and is produced, for example, by the operation of cars, heating systems in homes or industry, such as metal and steel production. Particulate matter is also produced in agriculture, such as ammonia emissions from livestock farming.
In addition to particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ground-level ozone in the air also remain a problem: according to the EEA analysis, 52,000 deaths in the EU can be attributed to increased nitrogen dioxide pollution and 22,000 to ozone pollution.
European Air Quality Index app
EEA experts are calling for the guideline values recommended by the WHO to be adhered to in order to prevent deaths. Measures are needed at EU level, but also at national and local level. In cities, for example, the main task is to reorganize traffic in order to protect people from air pollution.
EU citizens can use the "European Air Quality Index" app to see what the air quality is like in their area and how they can deal with it. For example, they can decide whether it is a good time to exercise outside, say EEA experts. The app could also help to compare countries or regions and draw attention to problems with poor air quality.
- The EU environment agency EEA highlighted that poor environmental conditions, particularly high levels of particulate matter, pose a significant health risk, contributing to over 250,000 premature deaths in the EU in 2021.
- Furthermore, EEA Director Leena Ylä-Mononen emphasized that while there has been a 41% reduction in air pollution-related deaths between 2005 and 2021, scientific evidence demonstrates that particulate matter causes the most substantial health impact through diseases like heart disease, strokes, diabetes, COPD, lung cancer, and asthma.
- Collaborating efforts at the EU, national, and local levels are critical to reducing air pollution and managing the impacts on public health, as the EEA emphasizes, with particulate matter, NO2, and ozone pollution accounting for over 84,000 deaths in the EU due to elevated pollution levels of these pollutants.
Source: www.dpa.com
