Health impacts of air pollution

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is . Due to various measures implemented, health impacts related to air pollution declined by 37.2 % from 2005 to 2022. This improvement is largely attributed to significant reductions in emissions of particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM_2.5), mainly the result of less use of wood biomass and a lower emission factor for wood. Building renovations and the replacement of old wood boilers with modern ones and heat pumps, supported by subsidies, contributed significantly to this. PM_2.5 emissions in industry declined due to improved energy efficiency and combustion processes, the modernisation of technological processes and the replacement of solid fossil fuels. PM_2.5 emissions also decreased in the transport sector due to the introduction of stricter European emission .

Although the long-term trend for Slovenia shows progress towards the EU target, recent data indicate a setback. The target will only be met if all existing measures are maintained and strengthened, with a determined push at all decision-making levels, .