Air pollution in Europe 1990–2004

Ebook - Environment

The report 'Air pollution in Europe 1990–2004' analyses changes in air pollutant emissions and their possible health or ecosystem impacts in Europe. The report covers the period 1990–2004.

In the 32 EEA member countries measured concentrations of particulate matter and ozone in the air have not shown any improvement since 1997, despite a decrease in emissions. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is now generally recognised to be the main threat to human health from air pollution. As sulphur emissions have fallen, ammonia emitted from agricultural activity and nitrogen oxides from combustion processes have become the predominant acidifying and eutrophying agents affecting ecosystems.

Executive summary

Overall picture

This report analyses and presents changes in air pollutant emissions and their possible health or ecosystem impacts in Europe covering the period 1990–2004.

Emissions of all air pollutants fell substantially during the period 1990–2004 in the 32 EEA member countries (EEA-32), resulting in improved air quality over the region. However, ambient concentrations of particulate matter and ozone in the air have not shown any improvement since 1997, despite the decrease in emissions. This might be due to meteorological variability and growing long‑distance transport of pollutants.

Fine particulate matter with a diameter size below 2.5 micrometer (PM2.5) is now generally recognised to be the main threat to human health from air pollution. As sulphur emissions have fallen, ammonia emitted from agricultural activity and nitrogen oxides from combustion processes have become the predominant acidifying and eutrophying agents affecting ecosystems.

Air pollution issues in Europe

The major classical air pollutants emitted into the atmosphere in Europe are sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), ammonia (NH3), non‑methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) and particulate matter (PM). Air pollutants have direct and indirect effects on human health (Figure 1).

Sulphur and nitrogen compounds emitted into the air are potentially acidifying and can cause harm when deposited into sensitive terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems. Nitrogen compounds are also potentially eutrophying, i.e. can cause an oversupply of nutrient in soils and water bodies (Figure 1).

Particulate matter emissions include primary PM and secondary particulates, formed from so-called PM precursor gases (SO2, NOX, NH3, VOC and NMVOC). Primary PM is the fraction of PM that is directly emitted into the atmosphere, whereas secondary PM is the fraction of PM created in the atmosphere through oxidation of precursor gases, e.g. of SO2, NOX into sulphuric acid (liquid) and nitric acid (gaseous), respectively. Secondary organic PM can also be formed from the oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Ozone (O3) is formed in the atmosphere by reaction between NOX and NMVOC gases in the presence of heat and sunlight. Ozone pollution is thus a major concern during the summer months.

Presently, more than 2 300 air quality monitoring stations report air pollution data to the EEA. Widespread observations started to become available at the European level in 1996/1997. For 2004, 32 EEA member countries reported observations that could be used for the analyses presented in this report.

Visit Air pollution in Europe 1990–2004 Download Page

The European Environment Agency (EEA), 2007
ISBN 987-92-9167-964-5
ISSN 1725-9177

Download Air pollution in Europe 1990–2004

PDF format, 15MB, 84Pages.

Contents

Acknowledgements..................................................................................................... 4
Executive summary..................................................................................................... 5
1 Introduction......................................................................................................... 14
1.1 Objectives and coverage....................................................................................14
1.2 Air pollution as a European environmental issue....................................................14
1.3 Data and indicators...........................................................................................15
1.4 Driving forces of air pollution..............................................................................15
1.5 Summary of relevant policy instruments and legislation.........................................16
1.6 Outline of the report.........................................................................................17
2 Development of air pollution emissions; progress towards targets 18
2.1 Overview.........................................................................................................18
2.2 Primary particulate matter (PM) and PM precursor emissions..................................20
2.3 Ozone precursors..............................................................................................21
2.4 Acidifying and eutrophying pollutants..................................................................23
3 Health-related air pollution assessment...............................................................28
3.1 Overview.........................................................................................................28
3.2 Ground level ozone...........................................................................................29
3.3 Particulate matter.............................................................................................36
3.4 NO2.................................................................................................................48
3.5 Benzene..........................................................................................................54
3.6 Other compounds: heavy metals, PAHs, and carbon monoxide................................56
4 Ecosystems related Air Pollution Assessment.......................................................62
4.1 Overview.........................................................................................................63
4.2 Tropospheric ozone...........................................................................................63
4.3 Acidification.....................................................................................................64
4.4 Eutrophication..................................................................................................66
4.5 Effectiveness of policy measures to reduce acidification and trophication..................
4.5 through air pollution......................................................................................... 71
Abbreviations............................................................................................................ 72
References................................................................................................................ 73
Annex A — Driving forces for air pollution.................................................................75
Annex B — Legislation............................................................................................... 78

About The European Environment Agency:

The European Environment Agency (EEA) is an agency of the European Union. Our task is to provide sound, independent information on the environment. We are a major information source for those involved in developing, adopting, implementing and evaluating environmental policy, and also the general public. Currently, the EEA has 32 member countries.

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