Air pollution

Exceedances of critical loads for eutrophication due to the deposition of nutrient N in 2000 and 2010

The results were computed using the 2008 Critical Loads database hosted by the Coordination Centre for Effects (CCE).

Exceedance of critital loads of acidity

Maps showing changes in the extent to which European ecosystems are exposed to acid deposition (i.e. where the critical load limits for acidification are exceeded). Values for 2010 are predicted based on adherence to implementation of NEC Directive.

Particulate matter pollution

2 comparable maps showing current (2000) and projected (2030) PM10 regional concentrations (population weighted).

Emissions of selected air pollutants as a result of three environmental policy packages

The 2 line graphics show SO2 and NOx emission trends from 1970 to 2050 according to 4 scenarios: the baseline, Global PP, OECD+BRIC PP, Global PP

Indexed trends in air quality

"Annual mean concentrations of air pollutants in urban areas" Indexed trend in annual mean urban air quality over the period 1997-2008 (reference year 1997). All urban and suburban background stations operational (that is at least reporting over 9 years with a yearly coverage of at least 274 days) during the period 1997-2008 are included. A general, Europe-wide averaged picture is shown, with a bias towards regions with high station density.

Population-weighted concentrations of PM10 and O3 in urban agglomerations of more than 250 000 inhabitants in EU-27

Urban air quality is of major concern. The high density of population and of economic activities in urban areas results in increased emissions, ambient concentrations and exposure. The Structural Indicator for urban air quality is presented which comprises two sub-elements describing the annual variations in population weighted health-relevant concentrations of (1) ozone and (2) particulate matter (PM10) in ambient air in urban areas.

Years of life lost (YOLL) in EEA countries due to PM2.5 pollution, 2005

Health impact caused by exposure top PM2.5.

Regional average number of exceedances of the EU long-term objective for ozone (120 µg/m3) per station during the summer for stations that reported at least one exceedance

Average occurrence of LTO per region observed during the period 1998 -2009 and the summer average maximum daily temperature in selected cities

Past and projected emissions of the main air pollutants and primary particulate matter. EEA-32 + Western Balkan countries

Past and projected emissions of the main air pollutants CO, NMVOC, NOx, NH3 PM2.5 and SOx

Estimated impact of different factors on the reduction in emissions of NOX and SO2 from public electricity and heat production, EEA-32, 1990–2008

The charts show the estimated contributions of various factors affecting emissions from public electricity and heat production including public thermal, nuclear, hydro and wind plants. The top line represents the hypothetical development of emissions that would have occurred due to increasing public heat and electricity production between 1990 and 2006, if the structure and performance of electricity and heat production had remained unchanged. However, there were a number of changes to sector’s structure that tended to reduce emissions, and the contributions of each of these factors to the emission reduction are shown. The cumulative effect of all these changes was that emissions actually followed the trend shown by the lower bars.

Sources of selected air pollutants in 2008 for EEA-32 and Western Balkan countries

Sources of selected air pollutants in EEA-32 and West Balkan countries, 2008.

The modelled effects of introducing road vehicle emissions standards and the LCP/IPPC Directives for large combustion plants on PM2.5 concentrations in Europe in 2005

The modelled effects of introducing road vehicle emissions standards (left) and the LCP/IPPC directives for large combustion plants (right) on PM2.5 concentrations in Europe in 2005

Difference in O3 impact indicators of human health (SOMO35), and ecosystems (AOT40), in 2005 as a result of the introduction of Euro vehicle emission standards in road transport

Difference in O3 impact indicators of human health (SOMO35) (left), and ecosystems (AOT40) (right map), in 2005 as a result of the introduction of Euro vehicle emission standards in road transport

Distance-to-target for the environmental objectives set for the protection of human health, 2008

Frequency distribution of the ozone 26th highest maximum daily running 8-hour mean; the target value set in the AQ Directive is 120 ug/m3 (reference period 2008; based on all available operational ozone stations reported to AirBase)

PM10 mean and maximum values of annual averages for traffic and urban background stations

Station pairs from capital cities were preferred, but when not available the next largest city for which data was available was chosen

NO2 mean and maximum values of annual averages for traffic and urban background stations

Station pairs from capital cities were preferred, but when not available the next largest city for which data was available was chosen

Estimated years of life lost (YOLL) in reference year 2005 attributable to long-term PM2.5 exposure

Health impact caused by expsore to PM2.5

Contribution of different sectors (energy and non-energy) to total emissions of tropospheric ozone precursors, 2008, EEA-32

The figure shows the emission of NOx, NMVOC, CO and CH4 in 2008

Change in energy-related emissions of ozone precursors by country, 1990-2008

The graph shows the change in energy-related emissions of ozone precursors (NOx, NMVOC, CO and CH4) each weighted by an ozone formation factor prior to aggregation to represent their respective ozone forming potentials. The relative impact of the combined contribution of NOx, NMVOC, CO and CH4 to ozone formation can be assessed based on their tropospheric ozone forming potentials (TOFP): nitrogen oxides 1.22, non-methane volatile organic compounds 1.0, carbon monoxide 0.11 and methane 0.014 (de Leeuw 2002).

Overall change in energy-related (i.e. combustion) emissions of PM10 and PM2.5, 1990-2008

The graph shows the change in emissions of primary PM10 data, and emissions of PM2.5.

Particulate matter (PM10) - Annual limit value for the protection of human health

In the air quality directive (2008/EC/50), the EU has set two limit values for particulate matter (PM10) for the protection of human health: the PM10 daily mean value may not exceed 50 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) more than 35 times in a year and the PM10 annual mean value may not exceed 40 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3). In some areas time extensions have been granted by DG Environment for meeting these limit values. Information about time extensions is provided by DG Environment at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/legislation/time_extensions.htm

Emission trends of acidifying pollutants (EEA member countries, EU-27)

This chart shows past emission trends of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and ammonia (NH3) in the EEA-32 and EU-27 group of countries. In addition - for the EU-27 - the aggregated Member State 2010 emission ceilings for the respective pollutants are shown

Contributions by sector for emissions of acidifying pollutants (EEA member countries)

The contribution made by different sectors to emissions of acidifying pollutants

Emissions of primary PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter (EEA member countries)

This chart shows past emission trends of primary PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter, 1990-2009.

Percentage change in PM2.5 and PM10 emissions 1990-2009 (EEA member countries)

The reported change in primary PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter for each country, 1990-2009.

Change in PM2.5 emissions for each sector and pollutant 1990-2009 (EEA member countries)

Percentage change in primary PM2.5 particulate matter emissions for each sector and pollutant between 1990 and 2009.

Change in PM10 emissions for each sector and pollutant between 1990 and 2009 (EEA member countries)

Percentage change in primary PM10 particulate matter emissions for each sector and pollutant between 1990 and 2009.

Sector contributions of emissions of primary particulate matter and secondary precursors (EEA member countries)

The contribution made by different sectors to emissions of primary PM2.5 and PM10, and to emissions of the secondary particulate matter precursors.

Contribution to total change in PM2.5 emissions for each sector and pollutant between 1990 and 2009 (EEA member countries)

The contribution made by each sector to the total change in primary PM2.5 particulate matter emissions between 1990 and 2009.

Contribution to total change in PM10 emissions for each sector and pollutant between 1990 and 2009 (EEA member countries)

The contribution made by each sector to the total change in primary PM10 particulate matter emission between 1990 and 2009.