Air pollution

Most European city dwellers are exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution. Improving air quality to match World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended levels could prevent more than half of premature deaths caused by exposure to fine particulate matter.

Air pollution emissions have declined in the last two decades, resulting in better air quality. Despite this improvement, air pollution remains the largest environmental health risk in Europe. Exposure to fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide levels above the World Health Organization recommendations cause an estimated 238,000 and 49,000 premature deaths, respectively, in 2020. These pollutants are linked to asthma, heart disease and stroke.

Air pollution also causes morbidity. People live with diseases related to exposure to air pollution; this is a burden in terms of personal suffering as well as significant costs to the healthcare sector.

Society’s most vulnerable are more susceptible to air pollution impacts. Lower socio-economic groups tend to be exposed to higher levels of air pollution, while older people, children and those with pre-existing health conditions are more susceptible. Over 1,200 deaths in people under 18 years of age are estimated to be caused by air pollution every year in EEA member and collaborating countries.

Besides health issues, air pollution can considerably impact Europe’s economy due to increased healthcare costs, reduced life expectancy, and lost working days across sectors. It also damages vegetation and ecosystems, water and soil quality, and local ecosystems.

Across the EU, it is common to have air pollution levels that are higher than the latest WHO recommendations. Still, there are signs of improvement.

In 2021, 97% of the urban population was exposed to concentrations of fine particulate matter above the health-based guideline level set by the World Health Organization.
Over 1,200 deaths in people under 18 years of age are estimated to be caused by air pollution every year in EEA member and collaborating countries^[1] .
Data from 2021 show that Central-eastern Europe and Italy reported the highest concentrations of particulate matter, primarily due to the burning of solid fuels for domestic heating and their use in industry.
All EU countries reported levels of ozone and nitrogen dioxide above the health-based guideline levels set by the World Health Organization.
Around 275,000 premature deaths are caused by fine particulate matter and 64,000 by nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) each year.
Overall, 97% of the EU’s urban population was exposed to levels of fine particulate matter above the latest guidelines set by WHO in 2021.

Premature deaths in Europe in 2020

238000

from chronic exposure to fine particulate matter

49000

from chronic nitrogen dioxide exposure

24000

from acute ozone exposure

Source: EEA, 2022, 'Health impacts of air pollution in Europe, 2022.

Event: Fourth EU Clean Air Forum

23 and 24 November 2023 - The fourth Clean Air Forum will bring together clean air stakeholders and interested parties from across the European Union including competent authorities of the Member States at all relevant levels, the Commission, the European Environment Agency, industry, civil society, and the scientific community for several days of intense dialogue on main clean air issues.

Find out more about the event

Reducing emissions of air pollutants in Europe

Europe has put in place legislation to reduce emissions from harmful air pollutants. The National Emission reduction Commitments Directive (NECD) sets national emission reduction commitments for Member States and the EU for five important air pollutants: nitrogen oxides (NO_x), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), ammonia (NH₃) and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5). These pollutants contribute to poor air quality, leading to significant negative impacts on human health and the environment.

Every year, the EEA publishes the most recent reported data and a briefing on the EU Member States' progress in meeting their emission reduction commitments.

In 2021, 13 Member States met their respective 2020-2029 national emission reduction commitments for each of the five main pollutants, while 13 Member States failed to do so for at least one of the five main air pollutants. For one Member State, the status is unknown because its national inventory was not reported.

The biggest challenge for the period 2020-2029 is reducing ammonia emissions: 10 Member States need to cut their 2021 emission levels to fulfil their 2020-2029 reduction commitments. The agriculture sector is the principal source, responsible for 93% of total ammonia emissions. Since 2005, ammonia emissions have only slightly decreased in many Member States and in some cases have increased.

Check air quality at any time: European Air Quality Index & App

How clean is the air you’re breathing right now?

The European Air Quality Index provides information on the current air quality situation based on measurements from more than 2000 air quality monitoring stations across Europe.

The Index allows citizens to use an interactive map to check the air quality at station level, based on five key pollutants that harm people's health and the environment: namely particulate matter (both PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), ground-level ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide.

The index is also available as an app for mobile phones in all EU languages.

Explore the European Air Quality Index

Air quality in your city: how clean is it compared to other European cities?

Check our air quality city viewer

ImageNeli Petrova, Well with Nature /EEA

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External links:

European Industrial Emissions Portal (EIEP)

Air pollution

Premature deaths in Europe in 2020

Event: Fourth EU Clean Air Forum

Reducing emissions of air pollutants in Europe

Check air quality at any time: European Air Quality Index & App

Air quality in your city: how clean is it compared to other European cities?

More information

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