Brussels: More than 180,000 premature deaths in the EU in 2023 were linked to long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) above World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA) in its latest health impact assessment published on Monday.
According to Anadolu Agency, the briefing titled 'Harm to human health from air pollution in Europe: burden of disease status, 2025', highlights a continued downward trend in air pollution-related deaths over the past 19 years. The agency reported a 57% reduction in deaths linked to PM2.5 since 2005, indicating that the EU has surpassed its Zero Pollution Action Plan target of a 55% reduction by 2030, achieving this milestone seven years ahead of schedule.
The report estimates that if air pollution levels had aligned with WHO guideline values in 2023, approximately 182,000 deaths from PM2.5, 63,000 from ozone, and 34,000 from nitrogen dioxide could have been avoided across the EU. Despite these improvements, the EEA warns that 95% of people living in European cities are still exposed to pollution levels exceeding WHO recommendations, with eastern and south-eastern Europe experiencing the most significant health impacts.
In addition to premature mortality, air pollution is noted for its role in exacerbating chronic illnesses such as asthma, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. The report also highlights emerging evidence linking air pollution to dementia, suggesting this disease burden may now surpass several other pollution-related conditions.
The findings were released to coincide with the EU Clean Air Forum in Bonn, Germany, occurring on Dec. 1-2. The revised EU Ambient Air Quality Directive, effective from 2024, aims to bring EU standards closer to WHO guidelines, which is expected to drive further improvements in air quality in the coming years.
The EEA analysis encompasses 41 European countries, including the 27 EU member states and other EEA members. The agency has monitored air pollution-related deaths since 2014, using the more stringent 2021 WHO guidelines. As in previous reports, mortality figures for different pollutants are not combined to prevent double-counting.