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Albania among countries with the deadliest air pollution in Europe

Politiko 2025-01-20 14:31:29

Albania among countries with the deadliest air pollution in Europe

Deaths from air pollution have fallen in the European Union, but mortality rates were highest in Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary.

Air pollution caused the loss of life of 357,000 people in the European Union in 2022, but your risk depends largely on where you live.

Most of these deaths are from exposure to fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, which comes from dust, smoke and vehicle exhaust. But tens of thousands are due to nitrogen dioxide from fuel combustion, as well as ozone, which is found in smog.

Air pollution is linked to a range of health problems, including heart and respiratory diseases, strokes, diabetes, birth defects and lung cancer.

Exposure is especially dangerous for older people, children, and people with other health problems.

North Macedonia had the highest mortality rate in Europe in 2021, with 255 premature deaths from exposure to fine particles for every 100,000 people. Next was Serbia with a mortality rate of 217 and Montenegro with a rate of 174.

Albania ranked fourth with a high mortality rate due to air pollution, at 164.

Bulgaria had the highest mortality rate in the EU, with 158 premature deaths per 100,000, followed by Poland (125) and Hungary (107).

While the number of deaths linked to PM2.5 fell by 45% from 2005 to 2022, the European Environment Agency (EEA) says air pollution “remains the biggest environmental health risk in Europe”.

The EEA also warned that air pollution harms Europe's economy through higher healthcare costs, lower life expectancy and reduced productivity at work. Air pollution also harms the environment, including water and soil quality.

In 2024, the EU adopted stricter air quality rules, aimed at bringing pollution levels closer to global health standards. The directive also gives citizens with pollution-related health problems the right to take their government to court if it fails to comply with the rules./ Monitor

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