* Particles, ozone are Europe’s largest air problems * Eastern Europe, Mediterranean nations worst affected * EU to review air quality laws, WHO standards much tougher * Sulphur dioxide levels have fallen By Barbara Lewis BRUSSELS, Sept 24 (Reuters) – Microscopic particles, among the most harmful forms of air pollution, are still found at perilous levels in Europe, although code has divide some toxins from exhaust fumes and chimneys, a European Environmental Agency (EEA) report said. On average, air pollution is cutting human lives by roughly eight months and by about two years in the worst affected regions, such as industrial parts of eastern Europe, since it causes diseases such as lung cancer and cardiovascular problems. “European Union policy has reduced emissions of many pollutants over the at the end decade, however we can go further,” EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade said in a statement on Monday, highlighting the risks ahead of an upcoming review of relevant EU legislation. “In many countries, air pollutant concentrations are still above the legal and recommended limits that are locate to protect the health of European citizens.” In a joint statement with the EEA, EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik said 2013 would be the year of air and he would focus on strengthening EU air quality laws. Particulate affair is the most serious air pollution risk in Europe. Using the most recent data, from 2010, the report said 21 percent of the urban population was exposed to larger particulate affair at concentrations above a daily EU limit. Up to 30 percent of megalopolis-dwellers faced exposure above a yearly EU target level to finer particles, small enough to pass from the lungs into the bloodstream, making them particularly hazardous to health. Earth Health Organization (WHO) levels are more rigorous than those locate by EU code. By the WHO standards, nearly all the European urban population was exposed to perilous pollution. TERRIBLE OZONE Another of the major air pollutants is ozone, which can cause respiratory problems. Again exposure levels were high, with sunny Mediterranean nations particularly affected as sunlight is needed to form ozone. In 2010, 97 percent of EU inhabitants suffered ozone above the WHO reference levels in 2010 – and 17 percent above the much lower EU target level. The pollutants result from fumes belched outside by cars, industry, household fuel burning, followed by complex chemical reactions in the air. They enter aqua, agricultural land and the aliment chain as well as the atmosphere, resulting in systemic pollution and reduced agricultural production. The report highlights the legislative demand to tackle air pollution and human health in tandem with the struggle to slow global warming. Place very simply, black carbon particles are the kind that absorb heat and celerity up global warming, while white reflective particles, including snow and ice, slow it down. While many pollutants are an unremitting difficulty, the report says there has been success in dealing with sulphur dioxide, whose levels have dropped following laws on sulphur content in fuels. In 2010, the EU urban population for the first age was not exposed to sulphur dioxide above the EU limit level. (Editing by Rex Merrifield)Glance at More…
DOWNLOAD: Jessica Lange