WHO experts call for stronger EU air pollution policies

Most Europeans are exposed to PM levels above the WHO standards. Photo: Ian Broyles CC BY-NC-SA

Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) can trigger atherosclerosis, adverse birth outcomes and childhood respiratory diseases, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) review released on 31 January. It also suggests a possible link with neurodevelopment, cognitive function and diabetes, and strengthens the causal link between PM_2.5 and cardiovascular and respiratory deaths.

Over 80 per cent of Europeans are exposed to particulate matter (PM) levels above the standards – known as Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) – recommended by the WHO. On average this deprives each citizen of 8.6 months of life.

Recent studies show associations between PM_2.5 and mortality at levels below the current AQG of 10 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) annual mean and so the review recommends a revision of the AQGs for PM by 2015.

As the current limit value for PM_2.5 in the EU’s Ambient Air Quality Directive is more than twice as high as the current WHO standard, the EU should tighten its air quality legislation. The directive sets a limit value of 25 µg/m³ to be met by 2015 and it also contains an indicative limit value of 20 µg/m³ from 2020, subject to a review in 2013. Regarding PM₁₀, the EU should maintain or possibly tighten its existing limit values.

The WHO review found new evidence for effects of long-term exposures to ozone (O₃) on respiratory mortality and on deaths among persons with predisposing chronic conditions. This adds to previous findings on short-term effects, which are the focus of current regulation. An impact of ozone exposure on cognitive development and reproductive health, including pre-term birth is also suggested. The review recommends that the WHO should develop AQGs for long-term average ozone concentrations and that the EU considers setting a long-term target value.

New studies have associated short- and long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) with mortality, hospital admissions, and respiratory symptoms at concentrations at or below the current EU limit values (which are set at the same level as the AQGs). An update of the AQGs is therefore recommended, and dependent on the outcome of such an update the EU should consider revising the NO₂ limit values.

The WHO-led project “Review of evidence on health aspects of air pollution – REVIHAAP” was commissioned within the framework of the 2013 review of the European Union’s air policy. A full technical report from the project will be available in the spring 2013. WHO Regional Director for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab said: “We are confident that this new knowledge will ultimately lead to more stringent air pollution control policies to protect the health of European citizens”.

Christer Ågren

Report: “Review of evidence on health aspects of air pollution – REVIHAAP Project” – First results.

Source: European Commission press release, 31 January 2013.

Air pollution a top health risk factor in Europe

A global review of the burden of disease, published on 14 December, points to outdoor air quality as a top-level risk for public health. The study shows exposure to air pollution as one of the top ten risk factors for health globally. It is ranked 11th for countries in Western Europe, 14th for Central Europe and 15th for Eastern Europe.

“Everyday exposure to outside air pollution in Europe is now recognised as one of the big factors affecting our health,” said Anne Stauffer of the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL). “For the first time, the Global Burden of Disease assessment has ranked an environmental factor among the more widely discussed ‘lifestyle’ risk factors, such as tobacco and alcohol.”

The analysis shows over 430,000 premature deaths and over 7 million years of healthy life lost in Western, Central and Eastern Europe in 2010 from exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), with 166,000 premature deaths in Western Europe, 95,000 deaths in Central Europe, and 169,000 deaths in Eastern Europe, which includes Russia.

Global burden of disease study: http://www.thelancet.com/themed/global-burden-of-disease.
Source: HEAL press release, 14 December 2012: www.env-health.org

In this issue

Small chimneys – big emissions

The Danish Government and the European Commission have separately presented proposals for emission standards for new boilers and stoves. But to achieve noticeable near-term air pollution reductions it is essential to combine such standards with measures for existing installations.

Editorial: Unacceptable to wait another forty years

It is now 2013, the year declared by environment commissioner Potočnik as the year of air, and in a speech at the EEB air quality conference on 8 January, he said that poor air quality was the cause of 420,000 premature deaths in the EU in 2010 ..

EU citizens: we want stronger air quality policy

Almost four out of five Europeans believe that the EU should propose additional measures to address air pollution.

Running out of time – the LCPD bites at last

EU SO₂ emissions have been cut by 80 per cent and NOx emissions halved between 1990 and 2010. Things are going to get even better, thanks to the Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD), introduced in 1988.

Progress too slow

Emission levels of carbon dioxide from the transport sector have levelled off, after the sharp reductions that followed the economic crisis in 2008. However there is still a notable absence of structural changes, such as modal shifts.

Revising EU air pollution policy

Significant additional emission reductions and accompanying environmental improvements can be achieved in the EU over the next 10-15 years. Health benefits alone far outweigh the extra costs for emission control.

WHO experts call for stronger EU air pollution policies

Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) can trigger atherosclerosis, adverse birth outcomes and childhood respiratory diseases, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) review released on 31 January.

Nitrogen overload still harms ecosystems

Two-thirds of EU ecosystems are currently exposed to more nitrogen deposition than they can cope with and one-tenth is receiving too much acid fallout. Significant additional reductions in the emissions of ammonia, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide ...

Scope for reducing ammonia emissions

By applying already known techniques and agricultural practices, the EU could reduce agricultural emissions of ammonia by more than 30 per cent, figures show in a new report from the International Institute for Applied System Analysis (IIASA).

Global mercury deal

On 19 January, after four years of deliberation, more than 140 countries agreed on the first global treaty to cut mercury pollution. It contains a mixture of mandatory and voluntary elements intended to control the growing global mercury crisis.

Emissions reallocated to end-users

Industries and homes together account for more than half of the energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, when emissions are aggregated at end-user level.

Road charges for lorries could cut air pollution

Introducing road charges for heavy goods vehicles that reflect the varied health effects of traffic pollution in different European countries would mean charges should be much higher in some countries compared to others.

Tailwind for wind

Wind power is coming of age. It supplies one-fortieth of the world’s electricity, and has grown tenfold in 10 years. There is room for much more. China and the US now lead the world.

Main menu

WHO experts call for stronger EU air pollution policies

In this issue

Small chimneys – big emissions

Editorial: Unacceptable to wait another forty years

EU citizens: we want stronger air quality policy

Running out of time – the LCPD bites at last

Progress too slow

Revising EU air pollution policy

WHO experts call for stronger EU air pollution policies

Nitrogen overload still harms ecosystems

Scope for reducing ammonia emissions

Global mercury deal

Emissions reallocated to end-users

Road charges for lorries could cut air pollution

Tailwind for wind

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