Highlights

Clearing the Air

Our research and advocacy activities have contributed to a major public health victory: in October 2024, the European Parliament approved the adoption of stricter air quality standards that will benefit 450 million people across the EU

Our research and advocacy activities have contributed to a major public health victory: in October 2024, the European Parliament approved the adoption of stricter air quality standards that will benefit 450 million people across the EU

Air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021, becoming the second leading risk factor for death
Better air, but not enough

A study led by Zhao-Yue Chen and Joan Ballester estimated daily concentrations of major pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and O3) across Europe from 2003 to 2019, using data from multiple sources and machine learning models. The findings revealed significant reductions in PM10 and NO2 levels across most regions. However, PM2.5 followed a less positive trend and ozone (O3) levels increased annually by 0.58% in southern Europe, leading to a nearly four-fold rise in unclean air days.

Despite these improvements, the majority of Europeans still breathe unsafe air:

live in areas exceeding WHO’s PM2.5 limits

live in areas exceeding WHO’s PM10 limits

live in areas exceeding WHO’s NO2 limits

No country met the O3 standard
during peak seasons

High levels of O3 trigger the formation of new PM2.5 particles, creating a harmful cycle,

– Zhao-Yue Chen.

This means that targeted efforts are needed to address PM2.5 and O3 levels,

– Joan Ballester.

These findings, together with a whole body of evidence generated over the last two decades by ISGlobal and other institutions, reinforce the urgent need for stricter air quality policies in Europe.

The push for stronger standards

In 2021, the WHO updated its air quality recommendations to reflect the latest scientific evidence. If these standards were met in Europe, over 160,000 deaths from PM2.5 and NO2 exposure could be prevented annually in European cities, according to a previous study by Mark Nieuwenhuijsen and his team.

With this in mind, the EU commission launched a review of its ambient air quality directives in 2022. ISGlobal, alongside key organisations, actively pushed for ambitious reforms. This included a commentary in a special issue advocating for alignment with WHO’s guidelines; an analysis of the economic and health costs of delaying reforms, by ISGlobal’s Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative and policy teams; and direct engagement with European Parliament members. These efforts helped secure the adoption of a stricter Ambient Air Quality Directive in October 2024.

But the fight for clean air continues. While the new European standards – set to take effect in 2030 – mark a crucial step forward, they still fall short of the WHO’s 2021 recommendations. Stricter policies, stronger enforcement, and continued advocacy for ambitious action are needed to ensure safe air and better health for all.

References

Explore more highlights
Big Steps Against a Silent Killer

Our multidisciplinary groups are tackling tuberculosis by focusing on those most at risk: children, adults with HIV, incarcerated populations, and people living in extreme poverty.

Our multidisciplinary groups are tackling tuberculosis by focusing on those most at risk: children, adults with HIV, incarcerated populations, and people living in extreme poverty.

Wind-Riding Microorganisms

Samples collected during airplane flights reveal that a wide diversity of microorganisms, some of them potentially pathogenic, can thrive in the troposphere – where they can travel vast distances on wind currents.

Samples collected during airplane flights reveal that a wide diversity of microorganisms, some of them potentially pathogenic, can thrive in the troposphere – where they can travel vast distances on wind currents.