Environment

Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Croatia have highest PM2.5 air pollution in EU

air pollution pm2.5 eurostat

Photo: Eurostat

Published

June 14, 2021

Country

Comments

0

Share

Published:

June 14, 2021

Country:

Comments:

0

Share

Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, and Croatia have the highest values of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) in the European Union, according to Eurostat.

Among the EU member states, the annual mean concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) is highest in urban areas of Bulgaria (19.6 μg/m3) and Poland (19.3 μg/m3), followed by Romania (16.4 μg/m3) and Croatia (16 μg/m3).

The data is for 2019, and the average value for the EU is 12.6 μg/m3.

In contrast, the concentration is lowest in urban areas of Estonia (4.8 μg/m3), Finland (5.1 μg/m3) and Sweden (5.8 μg/m3).

The annual mean of PM2.5 air pollution in 2019 continued to be above the level recommended by the WHO – 10 μg/m3

While this type of air pollution has been for a number of years below the limit set from 2015 onwards (25 μg/m3 annual mean), substantial air pollution hotspots remain. Moreover, despite the gradual decrease in recent years, the levels of air pollution in 2019 still continue to be above the level recommended by the WHO (10 μg/m3 annual mean), Eurostat said.

Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Croatia are most polluted EU countries with PM2.5

Pollutants such as fine particulate matter suspended in the air reduce people’s life expectancy and perception of well-being, while they can also lead to or aggravate many chronic and acute respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Fine particles PM10, those with a diameter of under 10 micrometres, can be carried deep into the lungs, where they can cause inflammation and exacerbate the condition of people suffering from heart and lung diseases. Meanwhile, even smaller fine particles PM2.5 (with a diameter below 2.5 micrometres) can impact health even more seriously as they can be drawn further into the lungs, according to Eurostat.

Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

Global Recycling Day waste sorting reducing CO2 emissions

Global Recycling Day: from waste sorting to reducing CO2 emissions

18 March 2023 - Global Recycling Day is marked on March 18 to highlight the importance of reusing items...

George Papanastasiou New energy environment ministers names unveiled in Cyprus

New energy, environment ministers’ names unveiled in Cyprus

28 February 2023 - Business executive George Papanastasiou is replacing Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry Natasa Pilides

European Public Prosecutor investigates EU ETS fraud in Bulgaria

EU prosecutors investigating EU ETS fraud in Bulgaria

28 February 2023 - EPPO's office in Sofia is carrying out searches and investigation in a probe into fraud regarding the EU Emissions Trading System

Nordic Green Norway Ambassador Gjelstad Green shift Serbia economic interest

Norway’s Ambassador Gjelstad: Green shift is in Serbia’s economic interest

22 February 2023 - The green shift is not only about fighting climate change and improving the environment, but just as much about rational economic interests