Recent research highlights that Europe has seen significant improvements in air pollution levels over the past 20 years. Despite these advancements, a vast majority of Europeans still reside in areas with air quality levels that fall short of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines.
An alarming 98% of the European population is exposed to delicate particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations deemed unhealthy by the WHO, with 80% and 86% experiencing higher than recommended levels of PM10 and nitrogen dioxide, respectively.
Conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), this comprehensive study analyzed pollution data across over 1,400 regions in 35 European countries, covering a demographic of 543 million individuals.
Zhao-Yue Chen, an ISGlobal researcher and the study’s lead author, emphasized the urgent need for targeted actions to combat elevated levels of PM2.5 and ozone. The study underscores the pressing challenges posed by climate change in Europe, calling for concerted efforts to mitigate pollution and protect public health. Read More
News Credit: The Guardian
Picture Credit: Shui Ta Shan/Alamy