Milestone for health as revised air quality law confirmed by EU Environment Council

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) and European Lung Foundation (ELF) have welcomed a major step forward for health in Europe after EU Environment Ministers gave the final green light to the amended Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD).

The amended AAQD, which was agreed in trilogue between the European institutions earlier this year, will align limits for key air pollutants in the EU more closely with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations – a milestone for health in Europe.

Health-focused organisations including ERS, ELF and others have campaigned for years for tighter restrictions on air pollution levels in Europe, citing its undeniable health impacts.

Scientifically, it is beyond doubt that air pollution has a major impact on health – particularly respiratory health – across Europe. Up to 97% of Europeans breathe unhealthy air and around 300,000 premature deaths in Europe each year are due to air pollution.

In addition, air pollution increases the risk of illnesses such as COPD, asthma and lung cancer – as well as exacerbating symptoms for those already living with respiratory diseases.

The economic burden is also huge: air pollution results in billions of Euros in health costs each year.

It is vital that EU Member States act to meet these new air quality standards by 2030, once the new law is published in the EU’s official journal. Once the law is published, Member States have up to two years to transpose it into national legislation.

Prof. Barbara Hoffmann, ERS Advocacy Council Chair said:

“We are happy to see the that the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive was adopted and that people’s health remains high on the political agenda.

“Every person living in Europe is affected by air pollution and this milestone will pave the way for better health across all borders. The implementation of the AAQD will be fundamental for the success of our common goals and we call on EU Member States for a quick implementation of the AAQD into national law.”

Dr Ulrike Gehring, ERS Environment and Health Committee Chair said:

“The revised Ambient Air Quality Directive is a major step forward to ensure better lung health across the EU and reduce the environmental and health inequalities across Europe.

“Aligning the new limit values for key air pollutants to the science, including the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines will significantly improve air quality in the EU. We call on Member States to swiftly adopt these measures to protect people’s health and alleviate the burden of respiratory patients.”

Dimitris Kontopidis, ELF Chair said:

“We are delighted that the AAQD has officially been passed. This is a great achievement for all involved in the fight to breathe clean air and for patients who are most impacted by the health risks of air pollution. Now we must continue our campaign to breathe clean air and call for swift implementation of the revised AAQD across EU Member States.”