Harm to human health from air pollution in Europe: burden of disease status, 2024

This briefing quantifies the latest estimated impact on population health caused by long-term exposure to three key air pollutants: fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. The foreseen benefits of achieving improved air quality are also highlighted.

Key messages

• In 2022, European citizens remained exposed to air pollutant concentrations that were considerably above the levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Reducing air pollution to these WHO guideline levels would prevent a significant number of annual deaths in EU Member States (EU-27): 239,000 from exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5); 70,000 from exposure to ozone (O3) and 48,000 from exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
• Between 2005 and 2022, the number of deaths in the EU attributable to PM2.5 fell by 45%, moving the EU closer to achieving the 55% reduction target outlined in the zero pollution action plan for 2030.
• In addition to premature mortality, the impacts from living with diseases related to air pollution are significant. It is vital that these impacts are considered when assessing the overall health burden of air pollution, as well as the benefits that would arise from cleaner air in Europe.