Further SO2 cuts give greater health benefits

Air pollution legislation to reduce sulphur dioxide (SO₂) has effectively reduced rates of premature deaths, new research suggests, and additional reductions would lead to even further public health benefits.

European SO₂ emissions have come down by more than 80 per cent since 1990. The EU Aphecom project has assessed deaths associated with changes in SO₂ concentrations in 20 cities prior to the legislation and during each of its phases. An increase of 1 microgram of SO₂ per cubic metre was shown to have the same impact on mortality in the late 2000s (post-legislation) as in early 1990 (pre-legislation). This confirms the previously identified relationship between SO₂ and mortality, and suggests that also low SO₂ levels are associated with health impacts.

The results imply that SO₂ concentrations have a consistent and direct relationship with mortality at both high and low concentrations, which suggests that legislation limiting SO₂ emissions further will result in even greater public health benefits.

Source: Science for Environmental Policy, 5 June 2014

Study: Tertre, A. et al. (2014). Impact of legislative changes to reduce the sulphur content in fuels in Europe on daily mortality in 20 European cities: an analysis of data from the Aphekom project. Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health. 7(1): 83–91. DOI:10.1007/s11869-013-0215-x.

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UK brought to court on bad air quality

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New figures on global ship emissions

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US to cut CO2 from existing power plants

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Carbon dioxide concentration surges

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EU’s Dirty thirty

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Main menu

Further SO2 cuts give greater health benefits

In this issue

Air pollution still harms ecosystems

Editorial: Protect people and nature from air pollution

Continued succes for renewables

Saving Turkey from coal

A fair share of climate responsibility

Lignite power provides bargain-priced pollution

Proposal for coal phase-out in Germany

Emissions are falling – but not enough

UK brought to court on bad air quality

Sustainable food choices

New figures on global ship emissions

US to cut CO2 from existing power plants

Carbon dioxide concentration surges

EU’s Dirty thirty

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Food for Thought

Northern forests, climate change and the UNFCCC

EU climate targets aligned with the Paris agreement’s 1.5°C objective

Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Collaborative-Learning project

Air pollution in Europe and children’s health

Climate Change: A Himalayan Odessey

No further discussion needed. The agreed global goal is to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C

Fossil-free electricity 2021

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