Published : Sep 24,
2012 Last modified : Sep 25, 2012 04:19
PM - Almost a third of Europe's city dwellers
are exposed to excessive concentrations
of airborne particulate matter (PM), one
of the most important pollutants in terms
of harm to human health as it penetrates
sensitive parts of the respiratory system.
The EU has made progress over the past decades
to reduce the air pollutants which cause
acidification, but a new report published
today by the European Environment Agency
(EEA) shows that many parts of Europe have
persistent problems with outdoor concentrations
of PM and ground level ozone.
In many countries, air pollutant concentrations
are still above the legal and recommended
limits that are set to protect the health
of European citizens. In fact, air pollution
reduces human life expectancy by around
two years in the most polluted cities and
regions.
Jacqueline McGlade,
EEA Executive Director
Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik
said: "This report is a timely reminder
of how important air quality is to the health
of our citizens. This is why I want 2013
to be the Year of Air and why I will focus
on strengthening our air quality laws to
tackle the problems identified today."
Professor Jacqueline
McGlade, EEA Executive Director, said: "European
Union policy has reduced emissions of many
pollutants over the last decade, but we
can go further. In many countries, air pollutant
concentrations are still above the legal
and recommended limits that are set to protect
the health of European citizens. In fact,
air pollution reduces human life expectancy
by around two years in the most polluted
cities and regions."
The EEA's 'Air quality
in Europe — 2012 report' examines citizens'
exposure to air pollutants and provides
a snapshot of air quality in Europe. The
report is intended to support the development
of more effective clean air policies.
Key findings
• Particulate matter (PM) is the most serious
air pollution health risk in the EU, leading
to premature mortality. The report estimates
that in 2010, 21 % of the urban population
in 2010 was exposed to PM10 concentration
levels higher than the most stringent, daily,
EU limit value designed to safeguard health.
Up to 30 % of the urban population was exposed
to finer PM2.5 concentration levels above
the (less stringent) yearly EU limit values.
According to the WHO reference levels, which
are even tighter than those imposed by EU
law, respectively up to 81 % and 95 % of
urban dwellers were exposed to PM concentrations
that exceed the reference values set for
the protection of human health – underlining
the urgency of the coming review of air
legislation.
• Ozone (O3) can cause
respiratory health problems and lead to
premature mortality. Exposure in cities
is very high – 97 % of EU urban inhabitants
were exposed to O3 concentrations above
the WHO reference level in 2010. 17 % were
exposed to concentrations above the EU target
value for O3. In 2009, 22 % of arable land
in Europe was exposed to damaging concentrations
of O3, leading to agricultural losses.
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
is a major cause of eutrophication (excessive
plant and algal growth in water) and acidification,
and also contributes to the formation of
PM and O3. In 2010, 7 % of Europeans living
in cities were exposed to NO2 levels above
the EU limit values. National emissions
of nitrogen oxides in many European countries
still exceed emission ceilings set by EU
legislation and under United Nations agreements.
• Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)
is a carcinogen. A considerable proportion
of the urban population in the EU (20-29
% between 2008 and 2010) were exposed to
concentrations exceeding the EU target value,
which must be met by 2013. The increase
in BaP emissions in Europe in recent years
is therefore a matter of concern.
• Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
is a big success story: emissions have been
reduced significantly in recent years thanks
to EU legislation requiring the use of emissions
scrubbing technology and lower sulphur content
in fuels. 2010 was the first year that the
EU urban population was not exposed to SO2
concentrations above the EU limit value.
• Carbon monoxide, benzene
and heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, nickel,
lead) concentrations in outdoor air are
generally low, localised and sporadic in
the EU, with few exceedances of the limit
and target values set by EU legislation.
Next Steps
In recent years, the EEA has published annual
information on air pollutant emissions and
exceedances of emission ceilings under the
National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive.
Later this year, the EEA will publish a
retrospective analysis of whether the health
and environmental objectives of the NEC
Directive for 2010 have been met.
The European Commission
is preparing a review of EU air legislation
in consultation with stakeholders and will
put a particular emphasis on air pollution
policies in 2013.
Background
Poor air quality can cause heart disease,
respiratory problems, lung cancer, breathing
difficulties and other illnesses. Some pollutants
can lead to eutrophication, reduced agricultural
crop yields, decreased forest growth and
have an impact on the climate. Emissions
of several pollutants have fallen in recent
years, resulting in improved air quality
in some areas. However, they have not always
resulted in a corresponding drop of atmospheric
pollutant concentrations. The persistent
air quality problems require further efforts
in mitigating the emissions of several pollutants.
+ More
European Mobility Week
2012: Moving in the right direction
Published : Sep 17,
2012 Last modified : Sep 18, 2012 01:58
PM - Imagine a city with clean air and little
noise. A place free of congestion, where
getting around town is easy. To move towards
this goal, cities need to develop sustainable
and efficient urban transport systems which
integrate all modes of transport both in
the cities and in their surrounding areas.
Citizens can help by making the right choices.
During European Mobility Week, 16–22 September,
hundreds of cities across Europe will promote
sustainable transport in urban areas and
encourage their residents to reduce private
car use. The European Environment Agency
(EEA) has green tips to help you make your
daily journeys more environmentally friendly.
How can you make a difference?
Walk, cycle or take the bus
Get in shape and be
friendly to the environment all at once.
Walk, cycle or take the bus as much as possible
and encourage your kids to do the same.
You could also try using a skateboard, skipping
rope or rollerblades.
Share your car
If you have to use a
car to get to work, sign up to a car sharing
scheme.
Keep your tyres properly
inflated
This will reduce wear
and tear and increase their longevity, thereby
saving money. It also saves precious raw
materials: it takes 27 litres of crude oil
to produce a new tyre. Under-inflated tyres
also increase fuel consumption by up to
10 %. Check your tyres at least once a month.
Slow down
When driving avoid rapid
acceleration and braking. This can cut your
fuel consumption.
