Air pollution in EU is tied to thousands of premature deaths

(MENAFN) The European Environment Agency (EEA) reported that in 2023, more than 180,000 premature deaths in the EU were linked to long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The findings come from the agency’s latest health assessment, Harm to human health from air pollution in Europe: burden of disease status, 2025, which highlights a consistent downward trend over the last 19 years.

The EEA noted that PM2.5-related deaths have decreased by 57% since 2005, allowing the EU to surpass its Zero Pollution Action Plan goal of a 55% reduction by 2030 — seven years ahead of schedule. The report estimates that if 2023 air pollution levels had met WHO guidelines, around 182,000 PM2.5-related deaths, 63,000 from ozone, and 34,000 from nitrogen dioxide could have been prevented across the EU.

Despite these gains, the agency cautions that 95% of urban residents in Europe continue to face pollution levels above WHO recommendations, with eastern and southeastern Europe experiencing the most severe health impacts.

Beyond premature mortality, air pollution worsens chronic conditions such as asthma, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. The report also highlights emerging links between air pollution and dementia, suggesting that this condition may now contribute more to disease burden than several other pollution-related illnesses.

The EEA released the findings alongside the EU Clean Air Forum in Bonn, Germany, on Dec. 1-2. The updated EU Ambient Air Quality Directive, effective from 2024, aligns EU standards more closely with WHO guidelines and is expected to drive further improvements in the coming years.

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