Air pollution leads to the premature death of 1,200 children annually in Europe.
Many European cities are striving to improve air quality, but pollution levels remain high. Data from the European Environment Agency (EEA) indicate that young children, in particular, are vulnerable to the harms of this pollution.
The agency, located in Copenhagen, has called for more measures to protect children’s health from the negative effects of pollutants. The reality is that despite progress in regulatory measures, many governments stubbornly deviate from the standards set by the World Health Organization. This resistance is particularly evident in Central and Eastern Europe and countries like Italy.
The main reason for particulate matter and pollutants in these areas is the use of solid fuels like coal in heating and industries. According to the Environment Agency, besides the levels of particulates and dust, ozone and nitrogen dioxide indicators are also very high in these countries. The increased vulnerability of children and adolescents is due to the fact that their organs and immune systems are still developing.
English
View this article in English