Air pollution in Europe reduces life expectancy for its inhabitants
According to AEA report, pollutants can cause serious diseases such as lung cancer
In some regions of the European Union, high air pollution is causing a decrease in the life expectancy of its inhabitants, according to data from the European Environment Agency (EEA) collected over almost two years of research. With the information disclosed in the report, the problem of air pollution in Europe is even more evident, increasing the pressure for the bloc to reduce its emissions.
Although the legislation adopted has had some success in reducing pollutants emitted by car exhausts and chimneys, high levels of microscopic particles, better known as particulate matter, which can cause diseases such as lung cancer and cardiovascular problems, have still been detected.
According to the report, the effect of pollution on the affected region reduces the life span of residents by up to eight months. Eastern European industrial areas, such as Poland, had high levels of particulate matter, and London is the most polluted capital in the European Union, being the only one to exceed the EU's daily limits for emission of pollutants.
For the EU's Environment department, the bloc needs a review of the air quality laws, in addition to imposing limits to bring them closer to the pollution levels required by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The high levels of particulate matter not only affect the health of Europeans, but also their pockets. According to the AEA, spending on health care and environmental impacts totaled 1 trillion euros.
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The pollutants that cause emissions of this material are smoke from cars, industries and domestic fuels. These fumes undergo chemical reactions when released into the air. After that, they come into contact with water and soil, which can affect agricultural production.
Particulate matter is, nowadays, the biggest problem of air pollution in Europe. The report states that 21% of the urban population was exposed to this pollutant at levels above insurance.
As alternatives to reduce the emission of this material, the use of clean fuels and the reduction in the use of cars in large cities reduce the carbon footprint of its inhabitants, increasing life expectancy.
