New report warns that many Europeans are exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution

Despite recent improvements, air pollution is still having severe impacts on the health of people living in Europe, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA).

The paper, ‘Air quality in Europe — 2015 report’, published by the EEA yesterday (Monday 30 November, 2015), uses data from official air quality measuring stations across Europe to offer an up-to-date picture of the continent’s air quality situation.

The report showed that most people living in cities are regularly exposed to air pollutants at much higher levels than the limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

It also points out that, in 2012, exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) – a type of pollutant released from a number of sources including traffic exhaust fumes and the burning of different fuels – was responsible for the premature deaths of 430,000 people in Europe.

The report calls for coordinated action at international, European, national, regional and local levels to tackle the problem and save lives.

Read the full report.

Read the original press release.

Find out more about the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign, which is raising awareness of the importance of clean air.