{"id":60393,"date":"2023-09-21T13:02:55","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T11:02:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/euronews.al\/en\/?p=60393"},"modified":"2023-09-21T13:02:55","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T11:02:55","slug":"nearly-all-europeans-inhabit-regions-with-hazardous-levels-of-air-pollution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/euronews.al\/en\/nearly-all-europeans-inhabit-regions-with-hazardous-levels-of-air-pollution\/","title":{"rendered":"Nearly all Europeans inhabit regions with hazardous levels of air pollution"},"content":{"rendered":"

Europe is currently grappling with a \u201csevere public health crisis\u201d, as nearly all of its residents inhabit regions with hazardous levels of air pollution, as per an investigation by The Guardian<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Utilizing cutting-edge methodologies, including detailed satellite imagery and data from over 1,400 ground monitoring stations, the analysis unveils a troubling scenario of polluted air. It discloses that a staggering 98% of the population resides in highly contaminated areas where the annual average levels of particulate matter surpass the recommended limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Nearly two-thirds of Europeans live in regions where air quality exceeds WHO\u2019s guidelines by more than double.<\/p>\n

North Macedonia stands out as Europe\u2019s most heavily polluted nation. Approximately two-thirds of its populace dwell in areas where PM2.5 levels are four times higher than WHO\u2019s recommendations. In four specific zones, air pollution soars to six times the suggested levels, including the capital, Skopje.<\/p>\n

Eastern Europe significantly lags behind Western Europe in air quality, with the exception of Italy. Italy\u2019s Po Valley and northern surrounding areas witness over one-third of their inhabitants breathing air containing pollutants four times higher than WHO\u2019s recommended levels.<\/p>\n

The Guardian collaborated with pollution experts to craft an interactive map<\/strong><\/a> spotlighting the worst-affected areas across the continent. Measurements primarily pertain to PM2.5 \u2013 fine particulate matter largely generated through the combustion of fossil fuels, with some particles capable of entering the lungs and bloodstream, impacting nearly every organ in the body. Current WHO guidelines stipulate that annual average PM2.5 concentrations should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter. The fresh analysis discloses that merely 2% of Europe\u2019s populace resides in areas adhering to this threshold. Experts assert that PM2.5 pollution is responsible for roughly 400,000 annual deaths across the continent.<\/p>\n

Roel Vermeulen, a professor of environmental epidemiology at Utrecht University, who spearheaded the data compilation effort across Europe, declared, \u201cThis constitutes a grave public health crisis. What is abundantly clear is that almost every European is inhaling unhealthy air\u201d.<\/p>\n

The data also reveals that:<\/p>\n