If the more demanding pollution values recommended by the WHO had been followed, more than 58% of deaths could have been avoided. 40,400 premature deaths can be attributed to exposure to nitrogen dioxide and a further 16,800 to ground-level ozone.
The atmospheric pollution caused 307,000 premature deaths in the European Union (EU) in 2019, 11% less year-on-year, according to a report released this Monday by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Deaths due to concentration of particles in the open air smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) have been reduced by a third in the last 15 years, but having followed the pollution values recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), more demanding, more than 58% of deaths could have been avoided.
Thus, while the EU sets an annual maximum limit for these particles of 25 micrograms per cubic meter, the WHO reduces it to 5 micrograms, according to their most recent recommendations.
The EEA report notes that, in 2019, 40,400 premature deaths can be attributed to exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and a further 16,800 to tropospheric ozone (O3).
Heart disease and stroke are the most common causes of death attributable to air pollution, followed by lung disease.
The report indicates that the EU is on track to achieve the goal of reducing premature deaths from air pollution by more than 55% compared to 2005 by 2030.
EEA estimates suggest that 456,000 people died prematurely in the EU for this reason, so the goal would be to reduce the equivalent of 250,800 deaths annually within nine years.
“Investing in cleaner heating, mobility, agriculture and industry provides better health, productivity and quality of life for all Europeans and especially the most vulnerable,” the EEA Executive Director said in a statement, Hans Bruyninckx.
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