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Environmental information systems
The indicator shows the number of annual premature deaths attributable to exposure to fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) and the related zero-pollution action plan objective for 2030. Premature deaths are derived from a health risk assessment approach based on World Health Organization Europe recommendations measuring the general impact of air pollution across a given population.
Levels of particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) show a steady downward trend, with annual mean concentrations below the EU limit. Premature deaths in the EU-27 due to long-term PM2.5 exposure are estimated using a harmonised risk assessment method based on annual mean concentrations and an 8% increase in risk per 10 µg/m³ rise in PM2.5 levels. This analysis showed a 39% reduction in premature deaths attributable to PM2.5 between 2005 and 2022. Despite improvements, estimates showed 693 premature deaths due to PM2.5 in 2022.
Projections suggest that Cyprus will surpass the target of a 55% reduction in the health impacts of air pollution by 2030 compared with 2005. Contributions to this improvement may include upgrades to the vehicle fleet and heating sources and the enforcement of stricter emission standards. However, the reliance on heavy fuel oil as the primary fuel used for electricity generation has kept sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions above the level of current reduction commitments, highlighting ongoing challenges in improving air quality. In addition, climate change models for the Mediterranean predict less rainfall and increased desertification, potentially leading to more frequent and intense desert dust storms.
References and footnotes
- ↵Pikridas, M., Vrekoussis, M., Sciare, J., Kleanthous, S., Vasiliadou, E. et al., ‘Spatial and temporal (short and long-term) variability of submicron, fine and sub-10 μm particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10) in Cyprus’, Atmospheric Environment, Vol. 191, 2018, pp. 79–93, accessed 27 June 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2018.07.048.
- ↵Vrekoussis, M., Pikridas, M., Rousogenous, C., Christodoulou, A., Desservettaz, M. et al., ‘Local and regional air pollution characteristics in Cyprus: A long-term trace gases observations analysis’, Science of the Total Environment, Vo. 845, 2022, 157315, accessed 27 June 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157315.
- ↵Zittis, G., Almazroui, M., Alpert, P., Ciais, P., Cramer, W. et al., ‘Climate change and weather extremes in the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East’, Reviews of Geophysics, Vol. 60, No 3, 2022, e2021RG000762, accessed 27 June 2025, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021RG000762.
- ↵Achilleos, S., Mouzourides, P., Kalivitis, N., Katra, I., Kloog, I. et al., ‘Spatio-temporal variability of desert dust storms in eastern Mediterranean (Crete, Cyprus, Israel) between 2006 and 2017 using a uniform methodology’, Science of the Total Environment, Vol. 714, 2020, 136693, accessed 27 June 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136693.