Despite better air quality, Europeans’ health still suffering
A layer of smog over the city of Brussels.
(Geert Vanden Wijngaert / Associated Press)
A report from the European Environmental Agency concludes that even with the region’s reduced emissions, human health is still being affected by air pollution.
Specifically, particulate matter and ground-level ozone were found to be a continued source of breathing problems, cardiovascular disease and shortened lives.
The agency found that between 2009 and 2011, 96% of city residents were exposed to concentrations of fine particulate matter that were above the guidelines of the World Health Organization.
Damage to ecosystems was also noted in the report, citing pollutants that add excessive nitrogen to the air, a threat to biodiversity.
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