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2013: Kicking off the ‘Year of Air’: Clean air will be the focus of EU environmental policy discussions throughout 2013, the Year of Air. The European Environment Agency (EEA) provides a wealth of information underpinning the review of air pollutant legislation.
Located in News
Air pollution: Air pollution harms human health and the environment. In Europe, emissions of many air pollutants have decreased substantially over the past decades, resulting in improved air quality across the region. However, air pollutant concentrations are still too high, and air quality problems persist. A significant proportion of Europe’s population live in areas, especially cities, where exceedances of air quality standards occur: ozone, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter (PM) pollution pose serious health risks. Several countries have exceeded one or more of their 2010 emission limits for four important air pollutants. Reducing air pollution therefore remains important.
Located in Environmental topics › Air pollution
Air pollution - Drivers and pressures (Poland): SOER Common environmental theme from Poland
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Poland
Air pollution - State and impacts (Poland): SOER Common environmental theme from Poland
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Poland
CSI005_fig11_ExposureOfForrestArea_2011.eps: Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs › Exposure of forest area to ozone (exposure expressed as AOT40 in (μg/m³).h) in EEA member countries
CSI005_fig11_ExposureOfForrestArea_2012.eps: Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs › Exposure of forest area to ozone (exposure expressed as AOT40 in (μg/m³).h) in EEA member countries
Dublin tackles the health impacts of air pollution: Martin Fitzpatrick is a Principal Environmental Health Officer in the air quality monitoring and noise unit of Dublin City Council, Ireland. He is also the Dublin contact point for a pilot project run by the European Commission DG Environment and the EEA aimed at improving the implementation of air legislation. We asked him how Dublin tackles the health problems linked to poor air quality.
Located in Signals — every breath we take › Signals 2013 › Interviews
Policy context: Within the European Union, the Sixth Environment Action Programme (6th EAP) aims to achieve levels of air quality that do not result in unacceptable impacts on, and risks to, human health and the environment. The EU acts at many levels to reduce exposure to air pollution: through legislation, through co-operation with sectors responsible for air pollution, through national, regional authorities and non-government organisations and through research. EU policies aim to reduce exposure to air pollution by reducing emissions and setting limits and target values for air quality.
Located in Environmental topics › Air pollution
Recession contributes to air pollutant emissions decrease in 2009: Emissions of almost all main air pollutants fell across the EU-27 in 2009, according to the latest annual European Union air pollutant emission inventory report compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Some pollutants decreased significantly compared to the previous year, with analysis showing economic recession to be an important factor in this reduction. The drop was most evident for sulphur oxides (SOx), with emissions falling by 21 % between 2008 and 2009.
Located in News
Reducing speed limits on motorways: how good is it for the environment?: Lower speed limits on motorways are generally associated with road safety. But several European countries are now debating whether they also benefit the environment and, if so, how much. There is no simple way of measuring the environmental benefits of lower speed limits but several factors clearly play a key role.
Located in Articles