| Series Title | European Voice |
|---|---|
| Series Details | Vol.11, No.15, 21.4.05 |
| Publication Date | 21/04/2005 |
| Content Type | News |
|
Date: 21/04/05 Air pollution reduces life expectancy across the EU by 8.6 months, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). It claims that concentrations of dangerous particulate matter (PM) present in the air are frequently above EU limit values, particularly in large European cities, at huge physical and financial cost to citizens. For example, eradicating deaths from respiratory and cardiovascular disease attributable to PM concentration would save member states €161 billion, while the end of related diseases would save a further €29bn. PM air pollution is a prime area for European legislation, not least because of the transboundary nature of the phenomenon - an estimated 21% of PM air pollution in Denmark originated in Germany, while only 41% of pollution measured in Germany actually originated there. A 1999 directive sets limits on the amount of PM air pollution, but the European Commission is working on a more long-term Clean Air for Europe programme to seek more effective solutions. The Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organisation on 14 April 2005 published data according to which air pollution reduced life expectancy across the EU by 8.6 months on average. The organisation claimed that concentrations of dangerous particulate matter (PM) present in the air were frequently above EU limit values, particularly in large European cities, at huge physical and financial cost to citizens. |
|
| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://www.european-voice.com/ |
| Related Links |
|
| Subject Categories | Environment |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
