The share of the European Union's urban population exposed to air pollutant concentrations above EU standards has fallen over the past two decades. In 2021, just one percent of the EU urban population was exposed to high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations, compared to 27 percent in 2000. However, 10 percent of the EU urban population were still exposed to high levels of PM10 and ozone (O3) in 2021.
Share of urban population exposed to pollutant concentrations above EU air quality standards in the European Union from 2000 to 2021, by pollutant type
Characteristic
PM2.5*
PM10
O3
NO2
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Criteria for each pollutant: PM2.5 — population exposed to concentrations above 25 µg/m3; PM10 — population exposed to daily concentrations exceeding 50 µg/m3 for more than 35 days per year; O3 — population exposed to maximum daily 8-hour mean concentrations exceeding 120 µg/m3 for more than 25 days per year; NO2 — population exposed to annual concentrations above 40 µg/m3. These criteria are based on the limit values (for PM and NO2) and target values (for O3) set in the Ambient Air Quality Directive 2008/50/EC.
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EEA. (April 4, 2023). Share of urban population exposed to pollutant concentrations above EU air quality standards in the European Union from 2000 to 2021, by pollutant type [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 05, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/793420/urban-population-pollution-exposure-europe/?session=57e67fd17a4da00cb23aed163c4f7dd5
EEA. "Share of urban population exposed to pollutant concentrations above EU air quality standards in the European Union from 2000 to 2021, by pollutant type." Chart. April 4, 2023. Statista. Accessed July 05, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/793420/urban-population-pollution-exposure-europe/?session=57e67fd17a4da00cb23aed163c4f7dd5
EEA. (2023). Share of urban population exposed to pollutant concentrations above EU air quality standards in the European Union from 2000 to 2021, by pollutant type. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 05, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/793420/urban-population-pollution-exposure-europe/?session=57e67fd17a4da00cb23aed163c4f7dd5
EEA. "Share of Urban Population Exposed to Pollutant Concentrations above Eu Air Quality Standards in The European Union from 2000 to 2021, by Pollutant Type." Statista, Statista Inc., 4 Apr 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/793420/urban-population-pollution-exposure-europe/?session=57e67fd17a4da00cb23aed163c4f7dd5
EEA, Share of urban population exposed to pollutant concentrations above EU air quality standards in the European Union from 2000 to 2021, by pollutant type Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/793420/urban-population-pollution-exposure-europe/?session=57e67fd17a4da00cb23aed163c4f7dd5 (last visited July 05, 2024)
Share of urban population exposed to pollutant concentrations above EU air quality standards in the European Union from 2000 to 2021, by pollutant type [Graph], EEA, April 4, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/793420/urban-population-pollution-exposure-europe/?session=57e67fd17a4da00cb23aed163c4f7dd5
