Air pollution caused by fine particles killed 239,000 people in the European Union in 2022, a decrease of 5% in a year, according to a report by the European Environment Agency published on Tuesday.
The agency in Copenhagen said – in a statement – that “at least 239,000 deaths in the European Union in 2022 are attributed to exposure to fine particle pollution (PM2.5) at levels higher than the concentration recommended by the World Health Organization, which is 5 micrograms per meter.” “cube”.
Italy, Poland and Germany record the highest number of deaths due to fine particles.
At the level of Europe as a whole, the number decreased compared to 2021, when fine particles, which penetrate deep into the lungs, caused the premature death of 253,000 people.
This trend has been confirmed more widely. The agency indicated that between 2005 and 2022, the number of deaths decreased by 45%, which may allow achieving the goal of reducing deaths by 55% stipulated in the European Union’s “Zero Pollution” action plan for 2030.
Meanwhile, 70,000 deaths are attributable to exposure to ozone (O3) pollution, especially that resulting from road traffic and industrial activities.
As for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a gas produced mainly by vehicles and thermal power plants, 48,000 premature deaths are attributed to it.
The agency does not intend to add the total results together because, in its opinion, this would lead to double counting.
It emphasizes that air pollution remains the most important environmental threat to the health of Europeans.