Air quality in Europe — 2012 report

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This report presents an overview and analysis of the status and trends of air quality in Europe based on concentration measurements in ambient air and data on anthropogenic emissions and trends from 2001 — when mandatory monitoring of ambient air concentrations of selected pollutants first produced reliable air quality information — to 2010.
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Publication Created 12 Sep 2012 Published 21 Sep 2012
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EEA Report No 4/2012
This report presents an overview and analysis of the status and trends of air quality in Europe based on concentration measurements in ambient air and data on anthropogenic emissions and trends from 2001 — when mandatory monitoring of ambient air concentrations of selected pollutants first produced reliable air quality information — to 2010.

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    Measurement methods used for PM10, PM2.5, O3, NO2, SO2 and CO Measurement methods used for PM10, PM2.5, O3, NO2, SO2 and CO -
    Proportion (%) of HM and BaP measuring stations where the sample uses the PM10 particle size fraction in the EU Member States Proportion (%) of HM and BaP measuring stations where the sample uses the PM10 particle size fraction in the EU Member States All operational stations (defined as having data coverage of more than 0 %). 'Other' may include aerosol (undefined size), TSP, PM2.5.
    Trend in average annual mean C6H6 concentrations Trend in average annual mean C6H6 concentrations All stations in EU Member States, with at least 75 % data coverage for at least eight years were included in the analysis. Concentrations per station type are given in μg/m3. In the diagram a geographical bias exists towards central Europe where there is a higher density of stations.
    Trend in annual mean CO concentrations (2001–2010) per station type Trend in annual mean CO concentrations (2001–2010) per station type All stations in EU Member States, with at least 75 % data coverage for at least eight years were included in the analysis. Concentrations per station type are given in mg/m3. In the diagram a geographical bias exists towards central Europe where there is a higher density of stations
    Attainment situation for BaP, 2010 Attainment situation for BaP, 2010 The graphs are based on the annual mean concentration values. They present the range of concentrations at all station types (in ng/m3) officially reported by the EU Member States and how the concentrations relate to the target value set by EU legislation (marked by the red line). The diagram indicates the lowest and highest observations, the means and the lower and upper quartiles. The lower quartile splits the lowest 25 % of the data and the upper quartile splits the highest 25 % of the data. Based on a minimum of 15 % data coverage.
    Attainment situation for C6H6, reference years 2010, 2005, 2001 Attainment situation for C6H6, reference years 2010, 2005, 2001 The graphs are based on the annual mean concentration values; they present the range of concentrations at all station types (in μg/m3) officially reported by the EU Member States and how the concentrations relate to the limit value set by EU legislation (marked by the red line). The diagram indicates the lowest and highest observations, the means and the lower and upper quartiles. The lower quartile splits the lowest 25 % of the data and the upper quartile splits the highest 25 % of the data.
    Distance-to-target graphs for daily limit value of PM10 (top) and for annual target value of PM2.5 (bottom), 2010 Distance-to-target graphs for daily limit value of PM10 (top) and for annual target value of PM2.5 (bottom), 2010 The graphs show the percentage frequency distribution of stations (on y-the axis) in the EU Member States versus the various concentration classes (on the x-axis, in µg/m3). Vertical lines correspond to target or limit values set by the EU legislation.
    Distance-to-target graphs for the ozone target threshold for protection of human health (top) and protection of crops (middle) and forests (bottom), in 2010 Distance-to-target graphs for the ozone target threshold for protection of human health (top) and protection of crops (middle) and forests (bottom), in 2010 The graphs show the percentage frequency distribution of the 26th highest daily maximum of the running 8h-mean O3 concentrations for the various types of stations (top); AOT40 concentrations measured in rural stations in the EU for the protection of vegetation (accumulated over May to July) (middle) and for the protection of forests (accumulated over April to September) (bottom).
    Distance-to-target graphs for the annual (top) and hourly (bottom) NO2 limit value, for different station types, 2010 Distance-to-target graphs for the annual (top) and hourly (bottom) NO2 limit value, for different station types, 2010 The graphs show the percentage frequency distribution of stations (on the y-axis) in the EU Member States versus the various concentration classes (on the x-axis, in µg/m3). Vertical lines correspond to target or threshold values set by the EU legislation.
    Distance-to-target graphs for the daily (top) and hourly (bottom) limit values of SO2 for health protection, 2010 Distance-to-target graphs for the daily (top) and hourly (bottom) limit values of SO2 for health protection, 2010 The graphs show the percentage frequency distribution of stations (on the y-axis) in the EU Member States versus the various concentration classes (on the x-axis, in µg/m3). Vertical lines correspond to the limit values set by the EU legislation.
    Distance-to-target graph for the CO limit value, 2010 Distance-to-target graph for the CO limit value, 2010 The graph shows the percentage frequency distribution of stations (on the y-axis) in the EU Member States versus the various concentration classes (on the x-axis, in mg/m3). The vertical line corresponds to the limit value set by the EU legislation.
    Distance-to-target graph for the benzene limit value, 2010 Distance-to-target graph for the benzene limit value, 2010 The graph shows the percentage frequency distribution of stations (on the y-axis) in the EU Member States versus the various concentration classes (on the x-axis, in µg/m3). The vertical line corresponds to the limit value set by the EU legislation.
    Distance-to-target graph for the benzo(a)pyrene target value, 2010 Distance-to-target graph for the benzo(a)pyrene target value, 2010 The graph shows the percentage frequency distribution of stations (on the y-axis) in the EU Member States versus the various concentration classes (on the x-axis, in ng/m3). The vertical line corresponds to the target value set by the EU legislation.
    EU emissions of As, Cd, Hg, Ni and Pb, 2001–2010, as a percentage of 2001 emissions EU emissions of As, Cd, Hg, Ni and Pb, 2001–2010, as a percentage of 2001 emissions Poland did not report emissions of As nor Ni in 2004 which explains the decrease in reported emissions in 2004. Poland was responsible for 15–20 % of EU emissions of As and 13–18 % of EU emissions of Ni in 2001–2010.
    Total CO emissions (Gg/year = 1 000 tonnes/year) and contributions of the main sources in the EU Total CO emissions (Gg/year = 1 000 tonnes/year) and contributions of the main sources in the EU -
    Trend in average annual SO2 concentrations (2001–2010) per station type Trend in average annual SO2 concentrations (2001–2010) per station type All stations in EU Member States, with at least 75 % data coverage for at least eight years were included in the analysis. Concentrations per station type are given in μg/m3. In the diagram a geographical bias exists towards central Europe where there is a higher density of stations.
    Trend in NO2 and NOX annual mean concentrations (2001–2010) per station type (top); percentage frequency distribution of estimated annual change of NO2 annual mean concentrations at urban stations and at traffic stations (bottom) Trend in NO2 and NOX annual mean concentrations (2001–2010) per station type (top); percentage frequency distribution of estimated annual change of NO2 annual mean concentrations at urban stations and at traffic stations (bottom) All stations in EU Member States, with at least 75 % data coverage for at least eight years were included in the analysis. Concentrations per station type are given in μg/m3. In the top two diagrams a geographical bias exists towards central Europe where there is a higher density of stations. In the percentage frequency distribution graphs, closed bars denote stations showing a statistically significant trend, open bars denote stations with a non-significant trend. Statistically significant trends (level of significance 0.1) are calculated by applying the Mann-Kendall test. The applied method is described in de Leeuw, 2012.
    Average of the annual mean concentrations of Pb reported by monitoring stations in eight countries, 2001–2010 Average of the annual mean concentrations of Pb reported by monitoring stations in eight countries, 2001–2010 -
    Attainment situation for CO, reference years 2010, 2005, 2001 Attainment situation for CO, reference years 2010, 2005, 2001 The graphs are based on the 8-hourly mean concentration values; they present the range of concentrations at all station types (in mg/m3) officially reported by the EU Member States and how the concentrations relate to the limit value set by EU legislation (marked by the red line). The diagram indicates the lowest and highest observations, the means and the lower and upper quartiles. The lower quartile splits the lowest 25 % of the data and the upper quartile splits the highest 25 % of the data.
    Attainment situation for SO2, reference years 2010, 2005, 2001 Attainment situation for SO2, reference years 2010, 2005, 2001 The graphs are based on the 99.2 percentile of daily mean concentration values corresponding to the 4th highest daily mean; they present the range of concentrations at all station types (in μg/m3) officially reported by the EU Member States and how the concentrations relate to the limit value set by EU legislation (marked by the red line). The diagram indicates the lowest and highest observations, the means and the lower and upper quartiles. The lower quartile splits the lowest 25 % of the data and the upper quartile splits the highest 25 % of the data.
    Attainment situation for NO2, reference years 2010, 2005, 2001 Attainment situation for NO2, reference years 2010, 2005, 2001 The graphs are based on the annual mean concentration values; they present the range of concentrations at all station types (in μg/m3) officially reported by the EU Member States and how the concentrations relate to the limit value set by EU legislation (marked by the red line). The diagram indicates the lowest and highest observations, the means and the lower and upper quartiles. The lower quartile splits the lowest 25 % of the data and the upper quartile splits the highest 25 % of the data.
    Trend in annual mean of daily max 8 h-mean O3 concentrations (left) and trend in 93.2 percentile of daily 8 max h-mean O3 concentrations (right) (in μg/m3) for 2001–2010 per station type Trend in annual mean of daily max 8 h-mean O3 concentrations (left) and trend in 93.2 percentile of daily 8 max h-mean O3 concentrations (right) (in μg/m3) for 2001–2010 per station type All stations in EU Member States, with at least 75 % data coverage for at least eight years were included in the analysis. Concentrations per station type are given in μg/m3. In the diagrams a geographical bias exists towards central Europe where there is a higher density of stations. The 93.2 percentile of daily max 8-h mean values is directly related to the target value for O3, as 25 days per year are allowed to have exceedances of the target value threshold of 120 μg/m3.
    Attainment situation for O3, reference years 2010, 2005 and 2001 Attainment situation for O3, reference years 2010, 2005 and 2001 The graphs are based on the 93.2 percentile of maximum daily 8 hours mean concentration values corresponding to the 26th highest daily maximum of the running 8h-mean; they present the range of concentrations at all station types (in μg/m3) officially reported by the EU Member States and how the concentrations relate to the target value set by EU legislation (marked by the red line). The diagram indicates the lowest and highest observations, the means and the lower and upper quartiles. The lower quartile splits the lowest 25 % of the data and the upper quartile splits the highest 25 % of the data.
    Urban PM2.5 concentrations presented as multi-annual average in the EU, 2008–2010 Urban PM2.5 concentrations presented as multi-annual average in the EU, 2008–2010 The three-year running mean of PM2.5 concentrations (2008–2010) is similar to the method used to calculate the average exposure indicator. Compiled data reflects background (non-traffic and non-industrial) urban and suburban stations. Results for countries marked with an asterisk are based on less than three years of data. The orange dots correspond to figures provided by the EU Member States in the air quality questionnaire.
    Contributions to EU emissions from main source sectors (Gg/year = 1 000 tonnes/year) of primary PM, NOX, SOX, NMVOC and NH3, 2001–2010 Contributions to EU emissions from main source sectors (Gg/year = 1 000 tonnes/year) of primary PM, NOX, SOX, NMVOC and NH3, 2001–2010 -
    EU emissions of primary PM and of PM and O3 precursor gases not including carbon monoxide (a), 2001–2010 EU emissions of primary PM and of PM and O3 precursor gases not including carbon monoxide (a), 2001–2010 -
    Trend in PM10 (left graph, 2001–2010) and PM2.5 (right graph, 2005–2010) concentrations per station type Trend in PM10 (left graph, 2001–2010) and PM2.5 (right graph, 2005–2010) concentrations per station type All stations in EU Member States, with at least 75 % data coverage for at least eight years (PM10) or six years (PM2.5), were included in the analysis. Concentrations per station type are given in μg/m3. In the diagrams a geographical bias exists towards central Europe where there is a higher density of stations.
    Attainment situation for PM2.5, reference years 2010, 2005, 2001 Attainment situation for PM2.5, reference years 2010, 2005, 2001 The graphs are based on the annual mean concentration values; they present the range of concentrations at all station types (in μg/m3) officially reported by the EU Member States and how the concentrations relate to the target value set by EU legislation (marked by the red line). The diagram indicates the lowest and highest observations, the means and the lower and upper quartiles. The lower quartile splits the lowest 25 % of the data and the upper quartile splits the highest 25 % of the data.
    Attainment situation for PM10, reference years 2010, 2005, 2001 Attainment situation for PM10, reference years 2010, 2005, 2001 The graphs are based on the 90.4 percentile of daily mean concentration values corresponding to the 36th highest daily mean; they present the range of concentrations at all station types (in μg/m3) officially reported by the EU Member States and how the concentrations relate to the limit value set by EU legislation (marked by the red line). The diagram indicates the lowest and highest observations, the means and the lower and upper quartiles. The lower quartile splits the lowest 25 % of the data and the upper quartile splits the highest 25 % of the data.
    Annual changes in concentrations of PM10, O3 and NO2 in the period 2001–2010 Annual changes in concentrations of PM10, O3 and NO2 in the period 2001–2010 Statistically significant trends (level of significance 0.1) are calculated by applying the Mann-Kendall test. The trend slopes are indicated with coloured dots when statistically significant. Red dots indicate increasing concentrations. The applied method is described in de Leeuw, 2012
    Percentage of urban population resident in areas where pollutant concentrations are higher than selected limit/target values, 2001-2010 (EU-27) Percentage of urban population resident in areas where pollutant concentrations are higher than selected limit/target values, 2001-2010 (EU-27) The rationale for selection of pollutant and corresponding limit/target values for CSI 004 is given in the justification for indicator selection. Only urban and sub-urban background monitoring stations have been included in the calculations. Data for Cyprus, Luxembourg and Malta, are not included due to the geographical coverage of the Urban Audit.
    Percentage of urban population resident in areas for days per year with SO2 concentration exceeding daily limit value, 2001-2010 (EU-27) Percentage of urban population resident in areas for days per year with SO2 concentration exceeding daily limit value, 2001-2010 (EU-27) The limit value is 125 µg SO2/m3 as a daily average, not to be exceeded more than three days in a year and to be met by 2005. Over the years 1997-2009 the total population for which exposure estimates are made, increased from 85 to 100 million people due to an increasing number of monitoring stations reporting under the Exchange of Information Decision. Year-to-year variations in exposure classes are partly caused by the changes in spatial coverage. Only urban and sub-urban background monitoring stations have been included in the calculations. Data for Cyprus, Denmark, Finland and Malta, are not included due to missing availability of operational urban and sub-urban background monitoring stations in the Urban Audit cities.
    Percentage of population exposed to NO2 annual concentrations in urban areas, 2001-2010 (EU-27) Percentage of population exposed to NO2 annual concentrations in urban areas, 2001-2010 (EU-27) The annual mean limit value is 40 µg NO2/m3 and to be met by 2010. Over the years 2001-2010 the total population, for which exposure estimates are made, increased from 92 to 116 million people due to an increasing number of monitoring stations reporting air quality data under the Exchange of Information Decision. Year-to-year variations in exposure classes are partly caused by the changes in spatial coverage. Only urban and sub-urban background monitoring stations have been included in the calculations. Data for Cyprus and Malta, are not included due to missing availability of operational urban and sub-urban background monitoring stations in the Urban Audit cities.
    Exposure of agricultural area to ozone (exposure expressed as AOT40 in (μg/m³).h) in EEA member countries Exposure of agricultural area to ozone (exposure expressed as AOT40 in (μg/m³).h) in EEA member countries Exposure of agricultural area to ozone (exposure expressed as AOT40 in (μg/m3).hour) in EEA member countries . In the Air Quality Directive (2008/50/EC) the target value for protection of vegetation is set to 18000 (μg/m3).h while the long-term objective is set to 6000 (μg/m3).hour. Until 2006 Iceland, Norway Switzerland and Turkey have not been included in the analyses due to lack of detailed land cover data and/or rural ozone data, in 2007 Switzerland and Turkey are not included; since 2008 only Turkey is not included
    Exposure of forest area to ozone (exposure expressed as AOT40 in (μg/m³).h) in EEA member countries Exposure of forest area to ozone (exposure expressed as AOT40 in (μg/m³).h) in EEA member countries The figure shows the exposure of forest area to ozone (exposure expressed as AOT40f in (μg/m3).h) in EEA member countries . By the UNECE a critical level for protection of forest is set to 10000 (μg/m3).hour. Since 2004 a growing number of EEA member countries have been included. In 2004 Bulgaria, Greece, Iceland, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, and Turkey have not been included. In 2005-2006 Iceland, Norway Switzerland and Turkey are still excluded in the analyses due to lack of detailed land cover data and/or rural ozone data. In 2007 Switzerland and Turkey are not included. Since 2008 only Turkey is not included. Calculations of forest exposure are not available for year prior to 2004.
    Percentage of urban population resident in areas for days per year with ozone concentrations over the long-term objective for protection of human health, 2001-2010 (EU-27) Percentage of urban population resident in areas for days per year with ozone concentrations over the long-term objective for protection of human health, 2001-2010 (EU-27) The target value is 120 µg O3/m3 as daily maximum of 8 hour mean, not to be exceeded more than 25 days per calendar year, averaged over three years and to be achieved where possible by 2010. Over the years 2001-2010 the total population for which exposure estimates are made, increased from 87 to 115 million people due to an increasing number of monitoring stations reporting under the Exchange of Information Decision. Year-to-year variations in exposure classes are partly caused by the changes in spatial coverage. Only urban and sub-urban background monitoring stations have been included in the calculations. Data for Cyprus is not included due to missing availability of operational urban and sub-urban background monitoring stations in the Urban Audit cities.
    Percentage of urban population resident in areas for days per year with PM10 concentration exceeding daily limit value, 2001-2010 (EU-27) Percentage of urban population resident in areas for days per year with PM10 concentration exceeding daily limit value, 2001-2010 (EU-27) The limit value is 50 µg PM10/m3 (24 hour average, i.e. daily), not to be exceeded more than 35 times a calendar year and to be met by 2005. Over the years 2001-2010 the total population for which exposure estimates are made, increased from 68 to 107 million people due to an increasing number of monitoring stations reporting air quality data under the Exchange of Information Decision. Year-to-year variations in exposure classes are partly caused by the changes in spatial coverage. Only urban and sub-urban background monitoring stations have been included in the calculations. Data for Greece and Malta are not included due to missing availability of operational urban and sub-urban background monitoring stations in the Urban Audit cities.
    Rural concentration map of the ozone indicator AOT40 for crops, year 2009 Rural concentration map of the ozone indicator AOT40 for crops, year 2009 AOT40 for crops are vegatation exposure related indicators and are based on rural background station observation only.
    Rural concentration map of the ozone indicator AOT40 for forest in 2009 Rural concentration map of the ozone indicator AOT40 for forest in 2009 The gradient of the AOT40f values is similar to those of the AOT40c for crops: relative low in northern Europe, and the highest values observed in the countries around the Mediterranean. The critical level is met in north Scandinavia, Ireland, part of the UK and in the coastal regions of the Netherlands (total forested area with concentrations below the critical level is 22 % of a total area of 1.44 million km2). In south Europe levels may be as high as 4-5 times above the critical level.
    AirBase - Exchange of information AirBase - Exchange of information Location of stations for which 2010 air quality data for components O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, C6H6, PM2.5, Pb, CO have been reported. Observed concentration maps for which 2010 air quality data for components O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, C6H6, PM2.5, CO, BaP, Pb, Cd, As and Ni have been reported.

    News and articles

    Europe’s air today Europe’s air today Europe has improved its air quality in recent decades. Emissions of many pollutants were curbed successfully, but particulate matter and ozone pollution in particular continue to pose serious risks to the health of Europeans.
    Fewer summer ozone peaks in 2012, but levels still harmful Fewer summer ozone peaks in 2012, but levels still harmful Ozone pollution still exceeded target levels in Europe during summer 2012, but the number of exceedances of the alert threshold was lower than in any year since monitoring started in 1997. However, almost all EU Member States failed to keep levels of the pollutant within targets set to protect human health.
    Europe's air story told in pictures Europe's air story told in pictures Air is a tricky subject to photograph, but this challenge has proved to be a source of inspiration for the winners of photo storycompetition ‘ImaginAIR’, organised by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
    Many Europeans still exposed to harmful air pollutants Many Europeans still exposed to harmful air pollutants Almost a third of Europe's city dwellers are exposed to excessive concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM), one of the most important pollutants in terms of harm to human health as it penetrates sensitive parts of the respiratory system. The EU has made progress over the past decades to reduce the air pollutants which cause acidification, but a new report published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows that many parts of Europe have persistent problems with outdoor concentrations of PM and ground level ozone.

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