Air pollution causes the premature death of at least 1,200 children and adolescents each year in Europe, according to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) published this Monday.
For adults, air pollution is the number one environmental risk to the health of minors, reducing life expectancy, according to the study, which included about 30 countries on the continent, including the 27 member states of the European Union (EU).
“Air pollution causes more than 1,200 premature deaths per year among young people under the age of 18 in Europe and significantly increases the risk of disease later in life.” writes the EMA in the report.
“Despite progress made in recent years, levels of several of the major air pollutants remain above World Health Organization guidelines, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in Italy,” emphasizes the organization, depending on the EU.
The Po Valley in northern Italy, areas near major coal-fired power stations, as well as major cities in the center and east of the continent are regularly characterized by poor air quality.
According to another report published by the EEA in November, at least 238,000 people of all ages died prematurely in 2020 due to air pollution in the agency’s member states: the European Union, Turkey, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
While the percentage of children and adolescents affected by air pollution is “relatively small” compared to the general population, dying this early means “a loss of future potential and a significant burden of chronic disease, both in childhood and later in life “. said the AEA.
The agency defended the focus on improving air quality around schools and kindergartens, as well as sports facilities and public transport.
The effects of air pollution begin even before birth, with maternal exposure “linked to low birth weight and preterm birth,” the AEA recalls.
After birth, environmental pollution increases the risk of several health problems, including asthma – which affects 9% of children and adolescents in Europe – or respiratory failure and infections, the agency also points out.
The effects are compounded by the fact that children are more physically active than adults and because their size means they are closer to sources of pollution such as car exhaust.
Looking at the general population, 97% of the European urban population was exposed to air that does not meet WHO recommendations by 2021, according to data released today.
Nevertheless, in the November report, the EEA noted that the European Union is on track to meet the target of reducing premature deaths by more than 50% by 2030 compared to 2005.
Source: DN
