A report issued by the European Union on Friday stated that approximately 400,000 deaths in Europe in 2021 were linked to three main air pollutants, and that some of these deaths could have been prevented had these pollutants been reduced to the levels recommended by the World Health Organization. According to the European Environment Agency, pollution caused by fine particulate matter, with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (referred to as PM2.5), particularly affects individuals with heart diseases and led to 253,000 deaths in 2021. Pollution by nitrogen dioxide, which is particularly harmful to diabetes patients, caused 52,000 deaths, while short-term exposure to ozone resulted in 22,000 deaths.
The report for 2021, released today, indicates that when a larger group of European countries outside the bloc is included, there are 389,000 pollution-related deaths in Europe. The agency noted, "Air pollutant concentrations in 2021 were significantly higher than the levels recommended by the World Health Organization in its air quality guidelines." It added, "Reducing air pollution according to these guidelines will prevent a huge number of pollution-related deaths in EU member states."
Poland, Italy, and Germany recorded the highest number of deaths in 2021 due to fine particulate matter, while countries in Northern Europe, such as Iceland, the Scandinavian countries, and Estonia, experienced the least impact. The report stated that carbon dioxide and short-term exposure to ozone had the most significant effects on mortality in Turkey, Italy, and Germany.
