Air quality status and trends in Europe

- We analyse status and trends of air quality in Europe from 2002 to 2011.
- We estimate the exposure of urban EU population and ecosystems to air pollution.
- Current air pollution levels still have adverse effects on health and ecosystems.
- Particulate matter and ozone are Europe's most problematic pollutants for health.

This paper presents an overview and analysis of air quality in Europe from 2002 to 2011. It reviews progress towards meeting the requirements of the EU air quality directives, as well as the development of European air pollutant emissions over the last decade. An overview of the latest findings and estimates of the exposure of urban population and ecosystems to air pollution in Europe is also given. The evaluation of the status and trends of air quality is based on ambient air measurements, in conjunction with data on anthropogenic emissions and their trends. The analysis covers up to 38 European countries, including EU Member States and member countries of the European Environment Agency (EEA) as of 2011.