Airborne fine particle pollution caused some 307,000 premature deaths in 2019 in the European Union (EU), a figure that continues to be worrying but has decreased by more than 10% in one year, according to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) published this Monday.
The study affirms that more than half of these deaths could be avoided if the 27 member countries of the bloc met the new air quality objectives established by the World Health Organization (WHO) Recently.
In 2018, the number of deaths linked to fine particles PM 2.5 (particles suspended in the air, with a diameter less than 2.5 microns, or 2.5 thousandths of a millimeter) was estimated at 346,000.
The net fall recorded in 2019 is partly explained by favorable weather conditions, but mainly by the gradual improvement in the air quality in Europe, according to AEMA.
In the early 1990s, these fine particles, which penetrate deep into the lungs, caused around one million premature deaths in the 27 countries of the United States. EU, according to data included in this report. A figure that had already fallen to around 450,000 in 2005.
Among the most populous countries in the European Union, in 2019, fine particle pollution was responsible for 53,800 early deaths in Germany, 49,900 in Italy, 29,800 in France and 23,300 in Spain. And, with 39,300 dead, Poland It is the most affected country in proportion to its population.
The EEA also records deaths related to the other two main air pollutants which are dangerous to health, but it does not add up the results because this would lead to double counting.
Regarding ozone particles (O3), in 2019 the trend was also downward, with 16,800 premature deaths, that is, a decrease of 13% in one year. As for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a gas emitted mainly by vehicles and thermal power plants, they fell by a quarter between 2018 and 2019, to 40,400.
Air pollution continues to be the main environmental threat to the health of Europeans. Heart disease and stroke are the most common causes of premature death from air pollution, followed by lung disease and lung cancer, the study notes.
As for children, air pollution can cause complications in their lung development, cause respiratory infections and worsen asthma cases.
Seven million around the world
Although the situation is gradually improving, the EEA warned last September that most European countries are still above the limits, either with respect to the recommendations on the continent or those of the WHO, which are stricter.
According to WHO, air pollution causes about seven million premature deaths a year in the world, a mark with levels close to smoking or an unhealthy diet.
This high number of victims led her in late September, for the first time since 2005, to establish more restrictive limits for the main air pollutants.
“Investing in cleaner heating, transport, agriculture and industry systems improves the health, productivity and quality of life of Europeans, especially the most vulnerable,” said EEA Director Hans Bruyninck.
The EU A goal has been set to reduce the number of premature deaths caused by fine particulate matter by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.
If air pollution declines at its current rate, the agency expects this goal to be reached in 2032.
However, the aging trend, as well as greater urbanization, could negatively affect certain health achievements linked to the decrease in air pollution.
“An aging population is more susceptible to the effects of air pollution, and a higher urbanization rate generally means that more people are exposed to concentrations of fine particles, which tend to be higher in cities,” he noted in its report the EEA, which calls for redoubling efforts.
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Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx