Air quality in Europe — 2015 report

Publication Created 12 Nov 2015 Published 30 Nov 2015
See older versions.
Note: new versions are available!
EEA Report No 5/2015
Cover Image
This report presents an updated overview and analysis of air quality in Europe. It is focused in the state in 2013 and the development from 2004 to 2013. It reviews progress towards meeting the requirements of the air quality directives. An overview of the latest findings and estimates of the effects of air pollution on health and its impacts on ecosystems is also given.

Content

Order information

Order a printed copy online (EU-Bookshop).

: 978-92-9213-701-4 702-1
: TH-AL-15-005-EN-N
: FREE

Related content

Data references

Air pollutant concentrations at station level (statistics) Air pollutant concentrations at station level (statistics) This dataset helps assess European population’s exposure to air pollutants. It provides a snapshot of air quality based on data from official monitoring stations (via Air Quality e-reporting) in the cities included in the Urban Audit project. It also shows the situation at station level in relation to the different European Union and World Health Organization air quality standards.
Air Quality e-Reporting (AQ e-Reporting) Air Quality e-Reporting (AQ e-Reporting) European air quality information reported by EEA member countries, including all EU Member States, as well as EEA cooperating countries. The EEA’s air quality database consists of a multi-annual time series of air quality measurement data and calculated statistics for a number of air pollutants. It also contains meta-information on the monitoring networks involved, their stations and measurements.

Data visualisations

Figures used

News and articles

Transport and public health Transport and public health Air and noise pollution from transport cause a wide range of health problems, with road transport and diesel vehicles in particular the biggest contributors. The European Union and its Member States are taking a series of measures to reduce the impact of transport on health with some success. Innovative solutions and local action can improve the situation further.
Transport in Europe: key facts and trends Transport in Europe: key facts and trends Despite temporary slowdowns, the demand for transport of both passengers and goods has been growing steadily and is projected to continue. As such, more and more cars are sold in Europe, the majority of which are diesel powered. And while engines are becoming more efficient, this growth means GHG emissions are a major concern.
Many Europeans still exposed to harmful air pollution Many Europeans still exposed to harmful air pollution Air pollution is the single largest environmental health risk in Europe. It shortens people’s lifespan and contributes to serious illnesses such as heart disease, respiratory problems and cancer. A new report published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA) estimates that air pollution continues to be responsible for more than 430 000 premature deaths in Europe.

Related briefings

NEC Directive reporting status 2017 - The need to reduce air pollution in Europe NEC Directive reporting status 2017 - The need to reduce air pollution in Europe Air pollution is the single largest environmental health risk in Europe, and can cause respiratory problems and shorten lifespans. It also contributes to the acidification of soil and surface water, causes eutrophication in sensitive habitats and can damage vegetation through exposure to ozone (EEA, 2016).
Electric vehicles and the energy sector - impacts on Europe's future emissions Electric vehicles and the energy sector - impacts on Europe's future emissions A fundamental change within the road transport sector is required if Europe wants to achieve its objective of a long-term transition to a low-carbon European economy. Electric vehicles charged with electricity from renewable sources can reduce future emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants from road transport. This briefing (based on an assessment carried out on behalf of the EEA) presents the key implications for emissions and Europe's energy system arising from the potential wide-scale use of electric cars in 2050.
NEC Directive reporting status 2015 NEC Directive reporting status 2015 As of 2010, all European Union Member States are required to meet their emission ceilings set for main air pollutants in Directive 2001/81/EC. The briefing presents preliminary data reported for 2014 and final data for 2010-2013.

Related infographics

Air pollution exposure in cities Air pollution exposure in cities Many Europeans are exposed to harmful levels of air pollution. Up to 30 % of Europeans living in cities are exposed to air pollutant levels exceeding EU air quality standards. And around 98 % of Europeans living in cities are exposed to levels of air pollutants deemed damaging to health by the World Health Organization’s more stringent guidelines.
Air pollution: from emissions to exposure Air pollution: from emissions to exposure Poor air quality is a serious health and environmental problem. Certain harmful air pollutants are emitted directly from vehicles, such as ‘primary’ particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOX). Others, such as ozone and ‘secondary’ PM, form in the atmosphere after emissions of precursor pollutants, including NOX and volatile organic compounds. Different sources of pollution, including transport and non-transport sources, emit different types and ratios of pollutants.

See also

93.2 percentile of O3 maximum daily 8-hours mean in 2014 93.2 percentile of O3 maximum daily 8-hours mean in 2014
74322_Annual mean BaP concentration in 2014_v2.eps 74322_Annual mean BaP concentration in 2014_v2.eps
Annual mean arsenic concentrations in 2014 Annual mean arsenic concentrations in 2014
Annual mean benzene concentrations in 2014_v1 Annual mean benzene concentrations in 2014_v1
Annual mean NO2 concentrations in 2014_v1 Annual mean NO2 concentrations in 2014_v1
Допълнителна литература Допълнителна литература
EU progress in meeting emission ceilings set out in NECD Annexes I and II EU progress in meeting emission ceilings set out in NECD Annexes I and II
Grimme REXOR 930 and RUW 4000 Grimme REXOR 930 and RUW 4000
National Emission Ceilings Directive National Emission Ceilings Directive The National Emission Ceilings Directive sets national emission reduction commitments for Member States and the EU for five important air pollutants: nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ammonia (NH3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). These pollutants contribute to poor air quality, leading to significant negative impacts on human health and the environment.
EU Member State progress in meeting NECD emission ceilings EU Member State progress in meeting NECD emission ceilings
Concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene in 2013 Concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene in 2013
Concentrations of PM10 in 2013 Concentrations of PM10 in 2013
Concentrations of O3 in 2013 Concentrations of O3 in 2013
Concentrations of NO2 in 2013 Concentrations of NO2 in 2013
Concentrations of PM2.5 in 2013 Concentrations of PM2.5 in 2013
Premature deaths attributable to air pollution Premature deaths attributable to air pollution Premature deaths attributable to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure in 2012 in 40 European countries and the EU 28.
Grimme REXOR 930 and RUW 4000 Grimme REXOR 930 and RUW 4000
download.pdf download.pdf
Grimme REXOR 930 and RUW 4000 Grimme REXOR 930 and RUW 4000
EU Member State progress in meeting NECD emission ceilings EU Member State progress in meeting NECD emission ceilings
EU Member State progress in meeting NECD emission ceilings EU Member State progress in meeting NECD emission ceilings
EU progress in meeting emission ceilings set out in NECD Annexes I and II EU progress in meeting emission ceilings set out in NECD Annexes I and II
Table 1 portrait Table 1 portrait
EU progress in meeting emission ceilings set out in NECD Annexes I and II EU progress in meeting emission ceilings set out in NECD Annexes I and II

Permalinks

Temporal coverage

Document Actions

For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/air-quality-in-europe-2015 or scan the QR code.

PDF generated on 11 Jul 2017, 03:48 PM

Subscriptions
Sign up to receive our reports (print and/or electronic) and quarterly e-newsletter.
Follow us
 
 
 
 
 
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Kongens Nytorv 6
1050 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Phone: +45 3336 7100
The European Environment Agency (EEA) is an agency of the European Union.
Legal notice EU flag
 

engineered by
EEA Web Team

Creative Commons Attribution License CMS login Software updates history Code for developers Refresh this page