The European Union has tightened its air quality standards, including PM2.5 and PM10, setting stricter limits on these pollutants to reduce exposure and improve public health, bringing the EU closer to WHO guidelines. Here’s a look at which countries are meeting the new standards and which are still falling short.
2024 EU PM2.5 and PM10 Air Quality Standards
The EU’s new air quality standards have set annual and daily thresholds for PM2.5 and PM10 to reduce overall exposure to these harmful particles. Previously, the EU allowed a higher annual limit of 25 µg/m³ for PM2.5 and 40 µg/m³ for PM10. The limit is cut by half, which is much closer to WHO recommendations.
The new standards are set to be enforced by 2030. Countries will have a transitional period to adapt to the new regulations, implementing stricter air quality monitoring and encouraging pollution reduction strategies across various sectors.
New EU PM2.5 and PM10 Standards vs. WHO Recommendations
Although the new EU limit has been halved, it remains lenient than WHO guidelines. With the EU’s annual PM2.5 limit at 10 µg/m³ compared to the WHO’s 5 µg/m³, the EU still has room for improvement.
EU Countries Meeting New Standards
Current air quality data shows that Sweden, Iceland, Portugal, Finland, and Estonia are already within the new EU limits and WHO recommendations, with annual PM2.5 levels as low as 3.5 to 5.1 µg/m³. These countries likely benefit from lower industrial activity and effective pollution control policies.
Read more: 15 Least Polluted Cities in the European Union in 2023
EU Countries Struggling to Meet New Standards
However, countries with large urban centers or heavy industry such as Italy, Croatia, and Poland, with annual PM2.5 levels ranging from 20 to 26 µg/m³, may struggle to comply.
Some cities, like Cremona, currently exceed both the old and new PM2.5 standards due to high traffic, industrial emissions, and polluting heating methods. These areas may require targeted policies to bring pollution levels within safe limits.
Read more: 15 Most Polluted Cities in the European Union in 2023
As the EU moves toward full enforcement by 2030, targeted policies focusing on reducing emissions from traffic, industry, and heating methods will be essential for countries currently exceeding the limits. Achieving these new standards will not only bring the EU closer to WHO recommendations but also improve overall health and air quality in the EU.
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