Air pollution

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Air pollution harms human health and the environment. In Europe, emissions of many air pollutants have decreased substantially over the past decades, resulting in improved air quality across the region. However, air pollutant concentrations are still too high, and air quality problems persist. A significant proportion of Europe’s population live in areas, especially cities, where exceedances of air quality standards occur. More

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Ambitious emission limits for power plants would result in significant pollution cuts in the EU

News 12 Dec 2018

European Union (EU) Member States have an opportunity to set ambitious limits for pollutant emissions from power plants. According to a new European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis, published today, setting strict but realistic emission limits for the power sector could cut emissions of key pollutants by 79-91 % by 2030. These limits are in line with EU law that establishes a flexible range of requirements, from minimum to more ambitious targets.

Air pollution still too high across Europe

News 29 Oct 2018

Despite slow improvements, air pollution continues to exceed European Union and World Health Organization limits and guidelines, according to updated data and information published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Air pollution still poses a danger to human health and the environment.

Europe continues to phase out substances harmful to the ozone layer under the Montreal Protocol

News 14 Sep 2018

Overall efforts to reduce the use of chemicals harming the ozone layer across the European Union continued in 2017 and the EU has already achieved its goals on the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances under the Montreal Protocol, according to the latest data released today by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Air pollution: agriculture and transport emissions continue to pose problems in meeting agreed limits

News 09 Jul 2018

Emissions from agriculture and transport continue to pose problems for European Union Member States in meeting EU and United Nations air pollution limits, according to updated data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) today. While emissions of most air pollutants remain on a downward trend, ammonia emissions continued to rise in 2016.

Ambitious emission limits for power plants would result in significant pollution cuts in the EU European Union (EU) Member States have an opportunity to set ambitious limits for pollutant emissions from power plants. According to a new European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis, published today, setting strict but realistic emission limits for the power sector could cut emissions of key pollutants by 79-91 % by 2030. These limits are in line with EU law that establishes a flexible range of requirements, from minimum to more ambitious targets.

Air pollution still too high across Europe Despite slow improvements, air pollution continues to exceed European Union and World Health Organization limits and guidelines, according to updated data and information published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Air pollution still poses a danger to human health and the environment.

Europe continues to phase out substances harmful to the ozone layer under the Montreal Protocol Overall efforts to reduce the use of chemicals harming the ozone layer across the European Union continued in 2017 and the EU has already achieved its goals on the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances under the Montreal Protocol, according to the latest data released today by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Air pollution: agriculture and transport emissions continue to pose problems in meeting agreed limits Emissions from agriculture and transport continue to pose problems for European Union Member States in meeting EU and United Nations air pollution limits, according to updated data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) today. While emissions of most air pollutants remain on a downward trend, ammonia emissions continued to rise in 2016.

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Mercury: a persistent threat to the environment and people's health

Article 17 Sep 2018

Many people still associate mercury with thermometers and most also know that it is toxic. Because of its toxicity, mercury is on its way out from products in Europe but a lot of it is still circulating in air, water, soil and ecosystems. Is mercury still a problem and what is being done about it? We interviewed Ian Marnane, EEA expert on sustainable resource use and industry.

Environmental change: knowledge is key to mitigating impacts on people and nature

Article 15 Jun 2018

Environmental policy making is not an easy task. On the one hand, Europeans want to enjoy the benefits a well-functioning economy provides. On the other, there are significant environmental and health costs attached to our lifestyle choices. A systemic understanding of how nature, economy and human health are connected is essential for identifying the best policy options available. The European Environment Agency aims to support policy making by providing exactly this kind of knowledge.

Europe’s environment: the power of data and knowledge

Article 15 Mar 2018

Europe collects increasingly more data, enhancing our understanding of the environment. Earth observation data obtained through the European Union’s Copernicus programme presents new challenges and opportunities to improve our environmental knowledge. Combining up-to-date Copernicus data with our existing knowledge base, the European Environment Agency (EEA) aims to empower policy makers and citizens across Europe in taking measures to address local, national and global challenges.

Cleaner air benefits human health and climate change

Article 15 Dec 2017

Thanks to legislation, technology and moves away from heavily polluting fossil fuels in many countries, Europe’s air quality has been improving in recent decades. However, many people continue to be negatively affected by air pollution, especially in cities. Given its complexity, tackling air pollution requires taking coordinated action at many levels. To get citizens involved, providing them timely information in an accessible way is essential. Our recently launched Air Quality Index does just that. Improvements in air quality would not only benefit our health, but could also help tackle climate change.

Mercury: a persistent threat to the environment and people's health Many people still associate mercury with thermometers and most also know that it is toxic. Because of its toxicity, mercury is on its way out from products in Europe but a lot of it is still circulating in air, water, soil and ecosystems. Is mercury still a problem and what is being done about it? We interviewed Ian Marnane, EEA expert on sustainable resource use and industry.

Environmental change: knowledge is key to mitigating impacts on people and nature Environmental policy making is not an easy task. On the one hand, Europeans want to enjoy the benefits a well-functioning economy provides. On the other, there are significant environmental and health costs attached to our lifestyle choices. A systemic understanding of how nature, economy and human health are connected is essential for identifying the best policy options available. The European Environment Agency aims to support policy making by providing exactly this kind of knowledge.

Europe’s environment: the power of data and knowledge Europe collects increasingly more data, enhancing our understanding of the environment. Earth observation data obtained through the European Union’s Copernicus programme presents new challenges and opportunities to improve our environmental knowledge. Combining up-to-date Copernicus data with our existing knowledge base, the European Environment Agency (EEA) aims to empower policy makers and citizens across Europe in taking measures to address local, national and global challenges.

Cleaner air benefits human health and climate change Thanks to legislation, technology and moves away from heavily polluting fossil fuels in many countries, Europe’s air quality has been improving in recent decades. However, many people continue to be negatively affected by air pollution, especially in cities. Given its complexity, tackling air pollution requires taking coordinated action at many levels. To get citizens involved, providing them timely information in an accessible way is essential. Our recently launched Air Quality Index does just that. Improvements in air quality would not only benefit our health, but could also help tackle climate change.

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Greening the power sector: benefits of an ambitious implementation of Europe's environment and climate policies

Publication 12 Dec 2018

Europe's electricity generation still relies largely on fossil fuels as an energy source and thus contributes to emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), dust and nitrogen oxides (NOx), among other pollutants. A new EEA assessment shows that with an ambitious implementation of new requirements under the EU Industrial Emissions Directive, Member States can significantly reduce pollutant emissions and thus minimise their potential harmful effects on the environment and human health. There is also a close link between future reductions in pollutant emissions and EU climate and energy policy, which drives growth in renewables and the switch towards cleaner fuels in the remaining power plants. A more fundamental restructuring of the power sector is, however, needed to meet the EU's long-term decarbonisation targets.

Air quality in Europe - 2018

Publication 29 Oct 2018

The current report presents an updated overview and analysis of air quality in Europe from 2000 to 2016. It reviews the progress made towards meeting the air quality standards established in the two EU Ambient Air Quality Directives and towards the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines (AQGs). It also presents the latest findings and estimates on population and ecosystem exposure to the air pollutants with the greatest impacts and effects. The evaluation of the status of air quality is based mainly on reported ambient air measurements, in conjunction with modelling data and data on anthropogenic emissions and their evolution over time.

Assessing the risks to health from air pollution

Publication 29 Oct 2018

The European Environment Agency (EEA) produces annual air pollution health risk assessments at the European level. These give an objective and comparable estimate of the impacts of air pollution on the population’s health. This briefing provides an overview of the methodology followed in the assessments.

Improving Europe's air quality measures — reported by countries

Publication 12 Jul 2018

Under the European Union’s (EU) Air Quality Directive, Member States have to implement and report on the measures they put in place in areas where air quality limit and target values are exceeded. This briefing provides an overview of the different types of abatement measures reported. It focuses mainly on measures designed to reduce people’s exposure to the two air pollutants that most commonly exceed air quality standards: particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). In general, the road transport sector is the largest contributor to total nitrogen dioxide emissions in the EU, while fuel combustion in the commercial, institutional and households sector is the largest contributor to total primary particulate matter emissions, particularly in some eastern European countries. Most reported measures address the road transport sector.

Greening the power sector: benefits of an ambitious implementation of Europe's environment and climate policies Europe's electricity generation still relies largely on fossil fuels as an energy source and thus contributes to emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), dust and nitrogen oxides (NOx), among other pollutants. A new EEA assessment shows that with an ambitious implementation of new requirements under the EU Industrial Emissions Directive, Member States can significantly reduce pollutant emissions and thus minimise their potential harmful effects on the environment and human health. There is also a close link between future reductions in pollutant emissions and EU climate and energy policy, which drives growth in renewables and the switch towards cleaner fuels in the remaining power plants. A more fundamental restructuring of the power sector is, however, needed to meet the EU's long-term decarbonisation targets.

Air quality in Europe - 2018 The current report presents an updated overview and analysis of air quality in Europe from 2000 to 2016. It reviews the progress made towards meeting the air quality standards established in the two EU Ambient Air Quality Directives and towards the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines (AQGs). It also presents the latest findings and estimates on population and ecosystem exposure to the air pollutants with the greatest impacts and effects. The evaluation of the status of air quality is based mainly on reported ambient air measurements, in conjunction with modelling data and data on anthropogenic emissions and their evolution over time.

Assessing the risks to health from air pollution The European Environment Agency (EEA) produces annual air pollution health risk assessments at the European level. These give an objective and comparable estimate of the impacts of air pollution on the population’s health. This briefing provides an overview of the methodology followed in the assessments.

Improving Europe's air quality measures — reported by countries Under the European Union’s (EU) Air Quality Directive, Member States have to implement and report on the measures they put in place in areas where air quality limit and target values are exceeded. This briefing provides an overview of the different types of abatement measures reported. It focuses mainly on measures designed to reduce people’s exposure to the two air pollutants that most commonly exceed air quality standards: particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). In general, the road transport sector is the largest contributor to total nitrogen dioxide emissions in the EU, while fuel combustion in the commercial, institutional and households sector is the largest contributor to total primary particulate matter emissions, particularly in some eastern European countries. Most reported measures address the road transport sector.

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EEA Air quality animation

Video 29 Nov 2017

Air – it’s all around us. It’s what we breathe, and it’s vital to our health and well-being. Economic activities, such as transport, industry and agriculture, release air pollutants, harmful to the environment and human health. SHOW MORE

Shaping the future of energy in Europe - Clean, smart and renewable

Video 29 Nov 2017

Our quality of life depends, among other things, on a reliable supply of energy at an affordable price. We still burn fossil fuels to obtain most of the energy we use and combustion of fossil fuels affects us all in one way or another. It releases air pollutants into the atmosphere and harms our health. It also releases greenhouse gases and contributes to climate change. We are at a critical decision point in time: the negative impacts of our current energy choices on the one hand, and the opportunities that clean energy sources offer on the other. Signals 2017 looks into Europe’s transition towards clean, smart and renewable energy.

EEA Air quality animation Air – it’s all around us. It’s what we breathe, and it’s vital to our health and well-being. Economic activities, such as transport, industry and agriculture, release air pollutants, harmful to the environment and human health. SHOW MORE

Shaping the future of energy in Europe - Clean, smart and renewable Our quality of life depends, among other things, on a reliable supply of energy at an affordable price. We still burn fossil fuels to obtain most of the energy we use and combustion of fossil fuels affects us all in one way or another. It releases air pollutants into the atmosphere and harms our health. It also releases greenhouse gases and contributes to climate change. We are at a critical decision point in time: the negative impacts of our current energy choices on the one hand, and the opportunities that clean energy sources offer on the other. Signals 2017 looks into Europe’s transition towards clean, smart and renewable energy.

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Reported data on large combustion plants covered by the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU)

Data 12 Dec 2018

The European Union established an inventory of emissions from large combustion plants in 2004. The inventory was governed by the Directive on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants (LCP Directive, 2001/80/EC) until 2015 year. As from 2016 reporting year, the reporting takes place according to the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU, Article 72). Large Combustion Plants are those with a rated thermal input equal to or greater than 50 MW, irrespective of the type of fuel used. Power plants, steel works or district heating plants are examples of these type of plants.

Indexed SO2, NOx and dust emissions from electricity generation, 2004-2015

Figure 12 Dec 2018

Indexed SO2, NOx and dust emissions from electricity generation for 2004 to 2015

Level of ambition with respect to SO2, Dust and NOx emission levels in the LCPD, the IPPCD and the IED

Figure 12 Dec 2018

The three graphs show the progression of emission limits in EU industrial emission policy over time. The example chosen is that emission limits for SO2, NOx and dust from existing large coal fired power plants.

Netherlands - Industrial pollution profile 2018

Dashboard (Tableau) 03 Dec 2018

This country profile summarizes key data related to industry: its relevance with respect to economic contributions, energy and water consumption, as well as air and water emissions and waste generation. Country profiles are also available for EEA 33 (see link below).

Sweden - Industrial pollution profile 2018

Dashboard (Tableau) 03 Dec 2018

Exceedances of air quality limit values due to traffic

Indicator Assessment 22 Nov 2018

The annual EU limit value for nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) — one of the main air quality pollutants of concern, which is typically associated with vehicle emissions — was widely exceeded across Europe in 2016. Some 88 % o f these exceedances occurred at roadside monitoring locations. The EU limit values for the two categories of particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) were also widely exceeded. For PM 2.5 , approximately the same percentage of exceedances were recorded at traffic stations and at background stations. For PM 10 , exceedances were recorded at a greater percentage of background stations than at traffic stations. This indicates the importance of other emission sources for these pollutants, such as commercial and institutional buildings, household heating, etc.

Annual mean PM2.5 concentrations observed at background stations, 2016

Figure 22 Nov 2018

The figure shows the annual mean concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) observed at background stations in 2016.

90.4 percentile of daily mean PM10 concentrations observed at background stations, 2016

Figure 22 Nov 2018

The map shows the 90.4 percentile of daily mean PM10 concentrations at background stations. This represents the 36th highest value in a complete series. It is related to the PM10 daily limit value, which allows 35 exceedances of the 50 μg/m3 threshold over a 1-year period. Dots in the last two colour categories indicate stations with exceedances of this daily limit value. Only stations for which more than 75 % of data are valid have been included in the map.

Emissions of air pollutants from transport

Indicator Assessment 22 Nov 2018

Between 1990 and 2016, the transport sector significantly reduced emissions of the following air pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) (both by around 86%), sulphur oxides (SO x ) (63 %) and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) (41 %). Since, 2000 a reduction in particulate matter emissions (40 % for PM 2.5 and 34 % for PM 10 ) has occurred. Emission reductions from road transport have been lower than originally anticipated over the last two decades. This is partly because transport has grown more than expected and partly because, for certain pollutants, growth in diesel vehicles (which produce higher NO x and PM emissions than petrol-fulled vehicles) has been greater than expected. Furthermore, it is widely accepted that 'real-world emissions' of NO x , particularly from diesel passenger cars and vans, generally exceed the permitted European emission (Euro) standards, which define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in the EU Member States. Emissions of all pollutants decreased in 2016 compared with the previous year. NO x emissions decreased by 0.2 % and those of CO by 3 %, while emissions of SO x increased by 12 %, and those of PM 10 and PM 2.5 both increased by 2 %. The latest data show that non-exhaust emissions of primary PM 10 and PM 2.5 , such as from tyre- and brake-wear, make up 60 % and 42 % of total road transport emissions of these pollutants, respectively. All transport modes have reduced their emissions of CO, NH 3 , NMVOCs, SO x and NOx since 1990, except for international aviation and shipping, whose NO x emissions have increased.

Global mercury emissions to air in 2010, by region, distinguishing between small-scale gold mining and other sources

Infographic 28 Sep 2018

Global mercury releases to air in 2010, by main source

Infographic 28 Sep 2018

The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR), Member States reporting under Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 166/2006

Data 07 Aug 2018

The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) is a web-based register established by Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 which implements the UNECE PRTR Protocol, signed in May 2003 in Kiev.

Up-to-date air quality data

GIS Map Application 01 Aug 2018

Latest measurements from Europe's air quality monitoring network

Environmental pressures of heavy metal releases to water, 2016

GIS Map Application 24 May 2018

This map illustrates the overall pressures to water from the aggregated releases of the eight heavy metals. Values (in kilograms) of the individual releases are first multiplied by a respective ‘eco-toxicity factor’, sourced from the USEtox model. Results are then aggregated, first by facility and then illustrated spatially using a standard heat map tool.

Reported data on large combustion plants covered by the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) The European Union established an inventory of emissions from large combustion plants in 2004. The inventory was governed by the Directive on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants (LCP Directive, 2001/80/EC) until 2015 year. As from 2016 reporting year, the reporting takes place according to the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU, Article 72). Large Combustion Plants are those with a rated thermal input equal to or greater than 50 MW, irrespective of the type of fuel used. Power plants, steel works or district heating plants are examples of these type of plants.

Indexed SO2, NOx and dust emissions from electricity generation, 2004-2015 Indexed SO2, NOx and dust emissions from electricity generation for 2004 to 2015

Level of ambition with respect to SO2, Dust and NOx emission levels in the LCPD, the IPPCD and the IED The three graphs show the progression of emission limits in EU industrial emission policy over time. The example chosen is that emission limits for SO2, NOx and dust from existing large coal fired power plants.

Netherlands - Industrial pollution profile 2018 This country profile summarizes key data related to industry: its relevance with respect to economic contributions, energy and water consumption, as well as air and water emissions and waste generation. Country profiles are also available for EEA 33 (see link below).

Sweden - Industrial pollution profile 2018 This country profile summarizes key data related to industry: its relevance with respect to economic contributions, energy and water consumption, as well as air and water emissions and waste generation. Country profiles are also available for EEA 33 (see link below).

Exceedances of air quality limit values due to traffic The annual EU limit value for nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) — one of the main air quality pollutants of concern, which is typically associated with vehicle emissions — was widely exceeded across Europe in 2016. Some 88 % o f these exceedances occurred at roadside monitoring locations. The EU limit values for the two categories of particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) were also widely exceeded. For PM 2.5 , approximately the same percentage of exceedances were recorded at traffic stations and at background stations. For PM 10 , exceedances were recorded at a greater percentage of background stations than at traffic stations. This indicates the importance of other emission sources for these pollutants, such as commercial and institutional buildings, household heating, etc.

Annual mean PM2.5 concentrations observed at background stations, 2016 The figure shows the annual mean concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) observed at background stations in 2016.

90.4 percentile of daily mean PM10 concentrations observed at background stations, 2016 The map shows the 90.4 percentile of daily mean PM10 concentrations at background stations. This represents the 36th highest value in a complete series. It is related to the PM10 daily limit value, which allows 35 exceedances of the 50 μg/m3 threshold over a 1-year period. Dots in the last two colour categories indicate stations with exceedances of this daily limit value. Only stations for which more than 75 % of data are valid have been included in the map.

Emissions of air pollutants from transport Between 1990 and 2016, the transport sector significantly reduced emissions of the following air pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) (both by around 86%), sulphur oxides (SO x ) (63 %) and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) (41 %). Since, 2000 a reduction in particulate matter emissions (40 % for PM 2.5 and 34 % for PM 10 ) has occurred. Emission reductions from road transport have been lower than originally anticipated over the last two decades. This is partly because transport has grown more than expected and partly because, for certain pollutants, growth in diesel vehicles (which produce higher NO x and PM emissions than petrol-fulled vehicles) has been greater than expected. Furthermore, it is widely accepted that 'real-world emissions' of NO x , particularly from diesel passenger cars and vans, generally exceed the permitted European emission (Euro) standards, which define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in the EU Member States. Emissions of all pollutants decreased in 2016 compared with the previous year. NO x emissions decreased by 0.2 % and those of CO by 3 %, while emissions of SO x increased by 12 %, and those of PM 10 and PM 2.5 both increased by 2 %. The latest data show that non-exhaust emissions of primary PM 10 and PM 2.5 , such as from tyre- and brake-wear, make up 60 % and 42 % of total road transport emissions of these pollutants, respectively. All transport modes have reduced their emissions of CO, NH 3 , NMVOCs, SO x and NOx since 1990, except for international aviation and shipping, whose NO x emissions have increased.

Global mercury emissions to air in 2010, by region, distinguishing between small-scale gold mining and other sources

Global mercury releases to air in 2010, by main source

The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR), Member States reporting under Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) is a web-based register established by Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 which implements the UNECE PRTR Protocol, signed in May 2003 in Kiev.

Up-to-date air quality data Latest measurements from Europe's air quality monitoring network

Environmental pressures of heavy metal releases to water, 2016 This map illustrates the overall pressures to water from the aggregated releases of the eight heavy metals. Values (in kilograms) of the individual releases are first multiplied by a respective ‘eco-toxicity factor’, sourced from the USEtox model. Results are then aggregated, first by facility and then illustrated spatially using a standard heat map tool.

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The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR), Member States reporting under Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 166/2006

Data 07 Aug 2018

The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) is a web-based register established by Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 which implements the UNECE PRTR Protocol, signed in May 2003 in Kiev.