Air pollution

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Last modified: Nov 16, 2011

Air pollution causes harm to both health and the environment. In Europe, emissions of many air pollutants have fallen substantially since 1990, resulting in improved air quality over the region. However, since 1997, measured concentrations of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone in the air have not shown much significant improvement. A significant proportion of Europe’s urban population live in cities where certain EU air quality limits (set for the protection of human health) are exceeded. A number of countries are also likely to have missed one or more legally binding 2010 emission ceilings of four important air pollutants - data confirming this will only be available at the end of 2011. The need to reduce exposure to air pollution remains an important issue.

Air pollution is a local but also a transboundary issue. Air pollutants released in one country may be transported in the atmosphere and harm human health and the environment elsewhere. Further information is available in the Air Pollution thematic assessment of EEA's recent 'The European environment — state and outlook 2010' report.

Two pollutants, fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone , are now generally recognised as the most significant in terms of health impacts. Long-term and peak exposure can lead to a variety of health effects, ranging from minor effects on the respiratory system to premature mortality. Since 1997, up to 45 % of Europe’s urban population may have been exposed to ambient concentrations of particulate matter above the EU limit set to protect human health; and up to 60 % may have been exposed to levels of ozone that exceed the EU target value. It has been estimated that PM_2.5(fine particulate matter) in air has reduced statistical life expectancy in the EU by more than eight months.

Air pollution is bad for our health. It reduces human life expectancy by more than eight months on average and by more than two years in the most polluted cities and regions. Member States must comply with EU air quality standards quickly and reduce air pollutant emissions.

Janez Potočnik, EU Commissioner for the Environment

Air pollution also damages our environment, for example by causing:

Acidification — Substantial reductions in sensitive ecosystem areas subjected to deposition of excess acidity have occurred since 1990 and even more since 1980. Nevertheless, the area subjected to acid deposition beyond its critical loads in 2010 will still exceed about 10% of the EEA-32 natural ecosystem area;
Eutrophication — Less progress has been made in reducing eutrophication. More than 40 % of sensitive ecosystem areas are subject to nitrogen deposition beyond their critical loads;
Crop damage — Most agricultural crops are exposed to ozone levels that exceed the EU long-term objective intended to protect vegetation from ozone damage. A significant proportion, particularly in southern, central and eastern Europe, is exposed to ozone levels above the EU target value.

Sources of air pollution are varied and may be anthropogenic (man-made) or natural. The main anthropogenic sources are:

burning of fossil fuels in electricity generation, transport, industry and households;
industrial processes and solvent use, for example in chemical and mineral industries;
agriculture; and
waste treatment.

Meteorological variability and the growing problem of long-distance transport of air pollutants from other countries in the northern hemisphere may explain in part why air quality in the EU has not improved significantly since the late 1990s despite the fall in emissions of key air pollutants.

New! — EEA has published a new technical reference guide that provides an overview of the use of air quality models in the context of EU legislation

New! — Information on the European Commission's recently-launched review of EU Air policy