How much of Europe’s urban population is exposed to poor air quality?

Dec 22, 2022

Heart disease and stroke are the two most common causes of premature death related to air pollution. Image: Unsplash/Ioana Baciu

Johnny Wood

Writer, Forum Agenda

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An ageing European population is more susceptible to the threat posed by air pollution. Image: European Environment Agency.

A graph showing premature deaths in the EU due to air pollution levels.

A total 238,000 premature deaths in the EU in 2020 were linked to excessive particulate matter. Image: European Environment Agency.

A bar chart showing economic cost of wheat yield losses due to pollution.

Reduced wheat yields from ozone pollution cost France €350 million in 2019. Image: European Environment Agency.

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