The majority of people in Europe are inhaling polluted air

Almost Everyone in Europe is Breathing Toxic Air

A Background Overview on Air Pollution in Europe

Air pollution has been identified by global health organizations as a major health risk carrying dire consequences for the human population around the world, especially in Europe. Despite many efforts and measures to mitigate air pollution in many European cities and towns, the quality of air remains an area that continuously needs improvement. Many individuals living in these regions are breathing toxic air, with pollutants that pose significant threats to their health.

We can trace this situation back to Europe’s long-standing struggle with industrialization. In the past few decades, despite attempts at green transformation, many parts of Europe have seen increased levels of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds emitted from automobiles, factories, power plants, among others.

Yet another primary culprit is the burning of fossil fuels, chiefly coal and oil. When these substances are burned, they release hazardous gases. The World Health Organization (WHO) asserts that nearly 90% of people in urban areas of Europe are exposed to levels of air pollution considered harmful.

Take for instance the case of the city of Krakow in Poland. A typically attractive tourist destination, known for its captivating historical buildings and venerable culture, is also known as one the most polluted cities in Europe. Industrial activities coupled with domestic coal burning have made the air of Krakow heavy with toxins.

• Approximately 400,000 deaths in the European Union have been linked to poor air quality each year.
• In certain European cities, living just one year can equate to smoking nearly 2,500 cigarettes because of poor air quality.
• Nearly a third of urban-dwelling Europeans are exposed to particle pollution levels above EU standards.
• Emissions from road transport contribute up to 30% of air pollutants in Europe.
• 28% of premature deaths in Europe due to air pollution are a result of residential heating with solid fossil fuels, according to the WHO.
• Coal-fired power plants and heavy industries are the largest contributors to outdoor air pollution in Europe.

The Health Consequences of Air Pollution

The impact on health from air pollution is vast. The pollutants have been linked directly and indirectly with a host of health problems including respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis, cardiovascular diseases, allergies, and even lung cancer. Apart from these, toxic air also significantly affects the overall quality of life and increases mortality rates.

The very particles that render the air polluted can be easily inhaled, making their entry into the human system seamless. Once these are inside us, they could cause havoc ranging from immediate symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and eye irritation to long-term effects such as heart disease and lung complications.

Moreover, vulnerable groups such as children, elderly people, and those with existing health conditions like asthma are often hit the worst. Their bodies, already combating other issues, find it much harder to deal with the added strain of toxic air.

Consider Lyon, a city in France – despite being one of the cleaner cities, the number of inhabitants affected by air pollution is unsettling. An increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, inflammation in the lungs, and allergy sufferers has drawn attention towards the state of its air quality.

• The WHO estimates that air pollution causes up to 30% of premature deaths from stroke and 25% from heart disease and lung cancer in Europe.
• Studies show that there’s an alarming 12% increase likelihood of dementia among those who live in high pollution areas.
• In Europe, over one million children under five years old suffer from asthma exacerbations caused by particulate matter.
• Recent studies associate exposure to air pollution during pregnancy with low birth weight and premature birth.
• Long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution is linked with decreased lung function in children.
• In France alone, over 48,000 premature deaths are attributed to air pollution annually.

Government Policies and Actions on Air Pollution

Despite the grave situation, European countries have not sat idle. There’s a combined effort at national, regional, and city levels to address the challenge of air pollution.

These interventions range from setting stringent standards for emission limits, improvements in fuel quality, promoting the use of clean energy sources, encouraging changes in individuals’ behaviour like using public transport or cycling, to emergency measures during high pollution episodes.

Regulatory efforts targeted towards reducing emissions from vehicles have borne fruit in several cities.

As an illustration, Madrid has implemented “Madrid Central”, a low emission zone covering over 1,000 hectares, where only vehicles meeting certain emission standards can enter.

• The European Union set new CO2 targets for new cars – from 2021, all new cars must emit 95g of CO2 per km traveled, a reduction of 40% from 2007 levels.
• From 2040, petrol and diesel cars will be banned from sale in France and the United Kingdom.
• Many cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam are promoting cycling infrastructure and electric bicycles as alternatives to car usage.
• The implementation of renewable energy sources has seen a decrease of 20% in sulfur dioxide levels across Europe between 2009 to 2019.
• The European Environmental Agency tracks air quality hourly across more than 2,000 monitoring stations in Europe.
• Germany has initiated a program offering free public transport to residents during periods of severe air pollution.

Recommendations for Individuals

Individuals are not powerless in the fight against air pollution. In fact, there are small steps each one can do every day to contribute.

We can make an impact by cutting down on car use and utilizing public transportation more often. Small changes like these will go a long way to reduce automotive emissions, one of the biggest sources of air pollutants.

Further, making household heating systems more efficient can help chop down black carbon and other pollutants released in our surroundings.

A citizen living in Berlin might choose to ditch their diesel car in favor of a cleaner hybrid or electric option available.

• Switch off the engine when idling – be it at traffic signals or during short waits.
• Decrease energy usage at home by turning off lights and electronic devices when not in use.
• Avoid burning trash – this activity contributes to indoor and outdoor pollution.
• If feasible, invest in renewable energy systems like solar panels for homes.
• Planting trees and maintaining gardens also helps improve air quality.
• Conscious consumption – buying local, reducing packaging waste, recycling – all lead to reduced pollution.

The Road Ahead

Environmentalists believe that sustaining the focus on air pollution in Europe, and immensely intensifying efforts to combat it is the need of the hour. A combination of innovative methodologies, robust monitoring mechanisms, stringent legislation, and active citizen participation is crucial.

There’s a pressing need for switching to clean energy sources at a faster pace. At the same time, the continued investment in research – to understand better the ill effects of air pollution and mitigation techniques – will be paramount.

For example, city planners in the Danish capital Copenhagen are aiming to make their city carbon-neutral by 2025. This bold plan includes wide-ranging measures from improving the cycling infrastructure to mandating green roofs in all new building constructions.

• Strengthening the measures towards emission reduction from vehicular traffic and industrial sources.
• Adoption of advanced technologies for cleaner production processes in industries.
• Faster transition to renewable energy, thereby reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
• More extensive urban green space creation for natural absorption of pollutants.
• Raising public awareness about the implications of air pollution and promoting behavioural changes.
• Continued international cooperation to tackle this cross-border issue effectively.

Conclusion: It’s Time to Breathe Freely Again

While recent reports provide grim reading about the state of air quality in Europe, it must stimulate nations into accelerated action. The path to cleaning up Europe’s air may be uphill and challenging, but it is an absolute necessity. Not just for the health of its citizens, but also for economic reasons, as tackling air pollution can result in substantial cost savings from reduced healthcare expenses.

According to *”Clean Air For All”*, a societal movement in Ireland, since its launch, has managed to bring down the levels of particulate matter in the residential areas by encouraging citizens to switch to cleaner fuels for heating and generating awareness about air pollution’s ill effects.

• Air pollution can be mitigated and eventually eliminated through collaborative effort.
• Every action towards reducing emissions, regardless of how small, counts.
• The economic benefits of tackling air pollution are enormous.
• Active engagement of citizens can create a significant impact in bringing down pollution levels.
• All European countries need to come together as it’s a transboundary issue that requires joint action.
• Clean air should be seen as a right, not a privilege, for everyone.

The topic of air pollution must remain at the forefront of Europe’s environmental and health agenda. It is more than just an environmental issue; it is one of basic human rights – the right to breathe clean air. The time to act is now.