Air Pollution: Europe's Air Quality Improved in 35 Countries Over the Last Two Decades: New Research Says

Air pollution has become a significant problem across Europe in recent years, where the air quality index (AQI) of multiple countries, especially in urban areas, has deteriorated. The pollution also surged following the easing of the COVID-19 restriction in 2020.

While the threat of hazardous air particles remains, a new study says there have been improvements in air pollution levels in 35 countries across the continent over the last two decades.

Air pollution is not only an environmental issue but it also impacts public health as it contains particulate matter (PM2.5). Also called atmospheric particulate matter, these particulates consist of very small solid or liquid droplets that can be inhaled by living organisms and cause adverse health effects.

Previous research has shown that long-term exposure or inhalation of large amounts of PM2.5 can also lead to eventual death.

Global Air Pollution Problem

Air pollution is not a simple anthropogenic phenomenon with only a single cause, since it involves multiple of factors that contribute to its severity and duration in particular area or region.

According to experts, there are various sources of outdoor pollution, including emissions from transportation, agriculture, industrial facilities, and other sectors of society. What seems to be an avoidable environmental issue, is becoming a global concern.

Statistically, global air pollution is responsible for approximately 7 million premature deaths every year, making it the "greatest environmental threat to public health," according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

While poor air quality in a city has not been certainly observed to immediately kill a person after exposure, it has been linked to gradual health decline such as respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

The UNEP explains that the tiny particles we breath can damage our hearts, lungs, and brain, as well as cause other health problems. Among these particles, PM2.5 is the most dangerous since it can travel deep into our lungs upon inhalation, experts say.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these fine particles not only burrow or integrate into the lungs but can also get into the bloodstream.

Air Quality in Europe

The causal relation between exposure to particle pollution and health risks, including premature death, has been confirmed by health studies in the past, as stated by the EPA. In Europe, the World Health Organization (WHO) previously reported that 98% of Europeans live in areas that are abundant with unhealthy levels of PM2.5 or poor air quality.

With this, some European cities such as Paris, Barcelona, and Athens have been subjected to pollution.

However, a new study published in the journal Nature Communications on Wednesday, March 15, shows the relative improvements in air quality control in Europe. Yet, researchers involved in the study stressed the need for targeted measures against specific pollutants and their compound events, including rising temperatures.