23/03/2006 - Human exposure to
increased pollutant concentrations in densely populated
urban areas is high. Air quality limit values, which
are aimed at protecting public health, are frequently
exceeded especially in streets and other urban hotspots.
An EEA study of 20 European cities found air pollution
above recommended levels in every one, according
to a new EEA report. The improvement of air quality
is therefore imperative.
The report, 'Air pollution at street level in European
cities', released by the EEA today, looks at traffic
hotspots in European cities during 2000. The report
also makes projections for air quality in 2030.
Traffic-related air pollution is still one of the
most pressing problems in urban areas. There is
clear evidence of adverse health effects from fine
particulate matter - very small chemicals that can
penetrate deep into the lungs. Most traffic-related
emissions are in the fine particulates range (<
PM2.5) the report says.
The cities surveyed were: Antwerp, Athens, Barcelona,
Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Copenhagen, Gdansk,
Graz, Helsinki, Katowice, Lisbon, London, Marseilles,
Milan, Paris, Prague, Rome, Stuttgart and Thessaloniki.
