On December 10, the revised EU Ambient Air Quality Directive came into force. It reduces the permissible levels for 12 air pollutants.
This was reported by the European Commission.
Why it is important
Air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to health and a major cause of chronic diseases, including stroke, cancer, and diabetes.
It also harms the environment: it causes acidification, eutrophication [saturation of water bodies with nutrients, which is accompanied by the destruction of water productivity – ed.
“Today, the level of eutrophication exceeds critical loads in two-thirds of ecosystems across the EU,” the European Commission says.
What are the innovations
The updated document brings EU air quality standards closer to the World Health Organization's recommendations by 2030.
The new Directive reduces the permissible levels for 12 air pollutants:
- particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10)
- nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx);
- sulfur dioxide (SO2);
- ozone (O3);
- carbon monoxide;
- benzene
- benzo(a)pyrene;
- arsenic
- cadmium
- nickel;
- lead.
It also reduces the permitted annual limit value for the main air pollutant, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), by more than half.
The updated EU Air Quality Directive will also provide for early action to achieve cleaner air. If air pollution levels are higher than the new 2030 standards in the coming years, member states will have to analyze whether they are complying with the legislation on schedule and take action if necessary.
The revised document will ensure that people who suffer health damage due to air pollution will be entitled to compensation in the event of a breach of EU air quality rules.
Commenting on the entry into force of the revised Directive, EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Sustainability and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessica Rosewall said:
“Every year, polluted air causes around 250,000 premature deaths and costs the EU economy up to €850 billion. Today's new air quality rules will improve the quality of life for millions of Europeans and further protect our biodiversity and ecosystems, while boosting our economy.”
Next steps
EU Member States have 2 years to adopt laws, regulations and other legal acts necessary to implement the revised Directive. The European Commission will adopt secondary legislation (implementing acts) that will complement the new rules and help in their application.
As EcoPolitic reported in February, the European Parliament and EU member states have reached an agreement to tighten air quality standards, namely to reduce the limit and target concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5 dust by 2030.
In March, we told you that over the past 20 years, air quality in Europe has improved, but about 98% of people live in areas with unhealthy levels of fine PM2.5.
