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Air pollution: breaches of legal limits continued through 2010 and 2011: Air pollutant emissions were above legal limits in eight Member States in 2011, preliminary data shows. In 2010, 12 Member States exceeded these limits, according to final official data reported under the European Union’s National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive.
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Air quality and ancillary benefits of climate change policies: The Thematic Strategy on air pollution aims to improve European air pollution significantly by 2020. This report from the European Environment Agency looks a further ten years into the future, and brings together two major policy challenges — combating climate change and reducing air pollution — in an integrated way. Thus, the report analyses projected changes in European air quality up to 2030, and explores the possible benefits of climate policies on air quality and the costs of air pollution abatement.
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Air quality and health: (Transcription of audio on video) Europe loses 200 million working days a year to air pollution-related illness. The air pollutants that affect the respiratory system are ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter. The breathing in of fine particulate matter significantly increases the numbers of deaths from cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary diseases. Over a third of particulate matter comes from domestic wood stoves, another third from industrial sources, and the remainder from transport and agriculture. Ground level ozone, one of the components of smog and produced through vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions, also has severe implications for respiratory health. The European Commission Clean Air for Europe programme found that in the year 2000 around 350,000 people were dying prematurely due to outdoor pollution of fine particulate matter alone. Although levels of particulate matter and ozone have both been reducing in recent decades, estimates indicate that 20 million Europeans suffer from respiratory problems. Source: The European environment - State and outlook 2005
Located in Environmental topics › Environment and health › Multimedia
Air quality in Europe — 2011 report: The annual report 'Air quality in Europe' summarises the most recent evaluation of Europe’s air quality status. It is mainly based on air quality measurement data that have been made available officially by 32 EEA member countries as well as 6 EEA cooperating countries. The report includes maps and analyses of air quality status over the calendar year 2009. It also analyses air quality trends over the past years. The evaluation of the status and trends of air quality is based on ambient air measurements, in conjunction with reported anthropogenic emissions. The report summarizes the main effects of different air pollutants on human health, the environment and the climate. An overview of policies and measures at European level is also given for each pollutant. This report reviews progress towards meeting the requirements of the two air quality directives in force as well as the air quality guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The report is produced in support of European and national policy development and implementation in the field of air quality. It also supports air quality management and informs the general public on the current status and trends of air quality in Europe.
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AirBase - Exchange of information: Location of stations for which 2010 air quality data for components O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, C6H6, PM2.5, Pb, CO have been reported. Observed concentration maps for which 2010 air quality data for components O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, C6H6, PM2.5, CO, BaP, Pb, Cd, As and Ni have been reported.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
AirBase - Exchange of information: Location of stations for which 2011 air quality data for components O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, C6H6, PM2.5, Pb, CO have been reported. Observed concentration maps for which 2011 air quality data for components O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, C6H6, PM2.5, CO, BaP, Pb, Cd, As and Ni have been reported.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
AirBase - Exchange of information: Location of stations for which 2009 air quality data for components O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, C6H6, PM2.5, Pb, CO have been reported. Observed concentration maps for which 2009 air quality data for components O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, C6H6, PM2.5, CO, BaP have been reported.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Annual European Community LRTAP Convention Emission Inventory 1990-2004: Located in Publications
Annual European Community LRTAP Convention emission inventory report 1990-2006: Located in Publications
Carbon capture and storage could also impact air pollution: Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves capturing carbon dioxide released by power stations and other industrial sources, and burying it deep underground. But in addition to keeping an important greenhouse gas (GHG) out of the atmosphere, this technology will lead to benefits and trade-offs for air pollution. A new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) describes the effects that CCS may have on emissions of some key air pollutants.
Located in News