EU Air Pollution Linked to Nearly 280,000 Deaths in 2023

EU Air Pollution Linked to Nearly 280,000 Deaths in 2023
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Nearly 280,000 deaths in the European Union in 2023 were associated with exposure to air pollution levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said this week. The agency’s latest assessment indicates that aligning pollution levels with WHO standards could have avoided an estimated 279,000 fatalities tied to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, and nitrogen dioxide.

The report highlights that PM2.5 remained the most harmful pollutant, contributing to around 182,000 premature deaths, predominantly in Italy, Poland, and Germany. Despite the high figure, mortality linked to PM2.5 has fallen by more than half since 2005, allowing the EU to meet its 2021 Zero Pollution Action Plan target of a 55% reduction in early deaths.

Elevated nitrogen dioxide levels, mainly produced by combustion sources, were connected to about 34,000 deaths, with the highest numbers in Turkey, Italy, and Germany. Ozone exposure accounted for a further 63,000 fatalities across the EU.

The EEA noted that air pollution remains a major public health challenge, with 95% of Europeans exposed to unsafe concentrations. Beyond premature deaths, pollution continues to worsen respiratory illnesses, and emerging research suggests possible links to dementia.