Air pollution is the biggest environmental health risk in Europe , contributing to more than 400,000 premature deaths each year. Prolonged exposure to pollutants can cause diabetes, lung disease and cancer, and early evidence suggests air pollution may be linked to higher death rates among COVID-19 patients.
How much pollution does Europe produce?
The European Union produced approximately 2.54 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2020. This was a reduction of 13 percent when compared to 2019 levels. The highest level of CO2 emissions produced in the EU was in 1979, at 3.99 billion metric tons.
Why is pollution a major concern in Europe?
Air pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, ammonia and ozone damage our lungs . ... Particulate matter can lead to secondary diseases as well as severe reactions to COVID-19 and other pulmonary infections.
How does the environment affect Europe?
Air pollution remains a major environmental health risk in Europe, contributing to the burden of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and other health effects.
How does pollution affect a country?
Air pollution takes its toll on the economy in several ways: it costs human lives, it reduces people’s ability to work , it affects vital products like food, it damages cultural and historical monuments, it reduces the ability of ecosystems to perform functions societies need and it costs money in remediation or ...
Is air pollution a problem in Europe?
Around 90 % of city dwellers in Europe are exposed to pollutants at concentrations higher than the air quality levels deemed harmful to health. ... Air pollution is causing damage to human health and ecosystems . Large parts of the population do not live in a healthy environment, according to current standards.
What is the least polluted country in the world?
1. Sweden . The least polluted country is Sweden with overall score of 2.8/10. The amount of carbon dioxide is 3.83 tonnes per capita per year, and the concentrations of PM2.
What are 3 effects of pollution?
- Environment Degradation. The environment is the first casualty for the increase in pollution weather in air or water. ...
- Human Health. ...
- Global Warming. ...
- Ozone Layer Depletion. ...
- Infertile Land.
What are the 5 effects of air pollution?
- Respiratory and Heart Problems. The effects of air pollution are alarming. ...
- Child Health Problems. Air pollution is detrimental to your health even before you take your first breath. ...
- Global Warming. ...
- Acid Rain. ...
- Eutrophication. ...
- Effect on Wildlife. ...
- Depletion of the Ozone Layer.
Who is affected by air pollution?
The groups most affected by air pollution are people of color, elderly residents, children with uncontrolled asthma , and people living in poverty. Vulnerable populations may experience more health effects because these populations already have higher rates of heart and lung conditions.
What are effects of pollution?
Long-term health effects from air pollution include heart disease, lung cancer , and respiratory diseases such as emphysema. Air pollution can also cause long-term damage to people’s nerves, brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs. Some scientists suspect air pollutants cause birth defects.
How does reducing pollution help the economy?
Companies that design, install, maintain, and operate pollution-reducing processes and equipment create thousands of high-paying green jobs in engineering, manufacturing, construction, materials, operation, and maintenance. Cleaner air and a growing economy can go hand in hand.
How do you stop pollution?
- Using public transports. ...
- Turn off the lights when not in use. ...
- Recycle and Reuse. ...
- No to plastic bags. ...
- Reduction of forest fires and smoking. ...
- Use of fans instead of Air Conditioner. ...
- Use filters for chimneys. ...
- Avoid usage of crackers.
Which country has the highest number of deaths from air pollution?
| Total Annual Premature Pollution-Related Deaths | 1 China 1,242,987 | 2 India 1,240,529 | 3 Pakistan 128,005 | 4 Indonesia 123,753 |
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Where is Europe’s air pollution?
Among the EU Member States, the annual mean concentration of fine particles is highest in urban areas of Bulgaria, and Poland, Romania and Croatia . The WHO estimates that air pollution kills 7 million people worldwide each year.
What are some of the major environmental issues in Europe?
The data showed that the main environmental problems in Western Europe were: energy production/acid rain, nuclear power/waste, air pollution/climate, heavy metals, pesticides, water pollution, solid waste, and unforeseen accidents . Many environmental problems are common to most European countries.
