Health impacts of air pollution

The health impacts of elevated levels of particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM_2.5), also known as fine particulate matter, have been studied in Austria since 2005 using the World Health Organization (WHO) AirQ+ tool, and data for UN sustainable development goal indicator 3.9.1 are reported annually. The estimated number of deaths attributable to PM_2.5 per 100 000 people at risk decreased from 110 in 2005 to 29 in 2023 (with a cut-off value of 5 µg/m³); therefore, the policy target of a 55% reduction by 2030 has already been achieved. Population-weighted exposure in major cities (a focus of sustainable development goal indicator 11.6.2) dropped from 23 µg/m³ in 2005 to 10 µg/m³ in 2023. In the city of Graz, which usually experiences the highest levels of air pollution, this figure dropped to around 13 µg/m³. The reductions were due to reduced emissions of particulate matter and its precursors in Austria and neighbouring countries and to more favourable meteorological conditions in recent years. In Austria, PM_2.5 emissions decreased by 44% between 2005 and 2023, mainly due to improvements in space heating and diesel particulate filters for vehicles. Sulfur dioxide emissions decreased by 59%, nitrogen oxide emissions by 56% and ammonia emissions by 6%. Although Austria has complied with the PM_2.5 limit value set out in Directive 2008/50/EC for many years, the WHO guideline level is still exceeded almost everywhere in the country, except in mountain areas.