Air pollution poses a serious threat to human health, with persistently high pollution levels remaining a concern despite efforts by countries to reduce it. This was reaffirmed by the latest assessment from the European Environment Agency. Citizens of European Union countries continue to face exposure to pollution levels significantly exceeding the limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, nearly three-quarters of European ecosystems are endangered by this issue.
The revised Ambient Air Quality Directive, which has officially entered into force in the European Union, aligns allowable pollutant values in the air with WHO standards. Nevertheless, this issue remains the most significant environmental health risk in Europe, leading to chronic illnesses and premature deaths.
Data from the European Environment Agency indicate that in 2022, at least 239,000 deaths were associated with exposure to PM2.5 fine particles above the WHO recommended concentration of 5 µg/m3, 70,000 deaths were linked to ozone exposure, and 48,000 to nitrogen dioxide exposure. Although the number of deaths due to fine particle exposure has decreased by 45 percent between 2005 and 2022, in line with the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan goal for 2030, much work remains to be done to achieve lower pollution levels.
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Air pollution also negatively impacts nature, as evidenced by data showing that in 2022, 73 percent of ecosystems in the European Union were exposed to nitrogen levels exceeding critical thresholds. This has led to eutrophication, an over-accumulation of nutrients in ecosystems. This process alters the structure and function of ecosystems, affecting plant species that can thrive in these areas.
Nitrogen pollution can also have severe consequences for agriculture. One-third of agricultural land in Europe was exposed to ozone levels harmful to plants, resulting in yield losses and economic damages estimated at no less than two billion euros.
Regarding the member states of the European Environment Agency, 62 percent of forests across 32 member countries exceeded critical ozone levels, directly impacting biodiversity.
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