Poor air quality – especially in cities – affects health. According to the EU Environment Agency, around 240,000 premature deaths occurred in the EU in 2020.
Despite better air quality, around 240,000 people in the EU died prematurely in 2020 from exposure to particulate matter in the air around them. The EU Environment Agency EEA released this estimate on Thursday.
People living in cities are therefore particularly at risk: nearly all city dwellers (96 percent) are exposed to fine dust levels above the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values of five micrograms per cubic metre.
Environment Agency EEA: Air pollution ‘a major health risk in Europe’
Although air quality has improved in EU countries in recent years, air pollutants remain the biggest environmental health threat.
It is one of the main causes of premature death and disease. Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death, followed by lung cancer and other lung diseases.
About 28,900 deaths in Germany in 2020 can be attributed to particulate matter pollution.
In addition to about 240,000 premature deaths due to particulate matter, according to the Environment Agency…
- 49,000 deaths chronic exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) attributed
- over 24,000 Pollution by ground-level ozone (O3) attributed
According to estimates, around 28,900 premature deaths in Germany in 2020 can be attributed to ambient air pollution by fine dust. The Environment Agency gave values of 10,000 and 4,600 for pollution with nitrogen dioxide and ground-level ozone.
EEA: 55 percent target attainable by 2030 if trend continues
Between 2005 and 2020 Number of premature deaths from particulate matter pollution in the EU. decreased by 45 percentsaid the EEA analysis. If this trend continues, the EU could possibly reach its target of reducing the number by 55 percent by 2030. The EU Commission had set the target as part of the so-called European Green Deal.
Lower pollutant emissions as a result of the corona pandemic
In 2020, measures related to the corona pandemic would have an impact on pollutant emissions in many countries, initially leading to improved air quality.
“Nitrogen dioxide concentrations have temporarily decreased – a direct result of reduced road traffic during the Covid lockdowns,” the EEA said.
Source: ZDF
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