Europe’s air quality status 2021- update

PM₁₀ are particulate matter with a diameter of 10 µm or less. They are emitted mainly by the combustion of fuels for domestic heating, while industrial activities, agriculture and road transport are also important sources. Some come also from natural sources such as sea salt or Saharan dust and, finally, some are formed in the atmosphere from the combination of different gases.

Although exceedances of the EU daily limit value are widespread across the continent, the highest concentrations were found in some countries in central and eastern Europe and in northern Italy. In most countries of central and  eastern Europe, solid fuels such as coal are widely used for heating households and in some industrial facilities and power plants. The Po Valley, in northern Italy, is a densely populated and industrialised area with specific meteorological conditions that favour the accumulation of air pollutants in the atmosphere.

Figure 2. Concentrations of PM₁₀ in 2019 and 2020 in relation to the EU daily limit value

Figure 3: Percentage of reporting stations registering PM₁₀ concentrations above the EU daily limit value and the WHO long-term guideline in 2019 and 2020

Concentrations above the EU daily limit value were measured at 14% of reporting stations, 87% of which were urban and 10% suburban.

Figure 4. PM₁₀ concentrations in 2019 by country in relation to the EU daily limit value

PM_2.5 are particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less. They are emitted mainly by the combustion of fuels for domestic heating, industrial activities, and road transport. As with PM₁₀, they can also come from natural sources and can be formed in the atmosphere. Agricultural emissions of ammonia make a significant contribution to the formation of particulate matter in the atmosphere.

The highest concentrations were found in central and eastern Europe and northern Italy. As for PM₁₀, the use of solid fuels is the main reason for the situation in central and eastern Europe, together with an older vehicle fleet. In northern Italy, the high concentrations are due to the combination of a high density of anthropogenic emissions and meteorological conditions that favour the accumulation of air pollutants in the atmosphere.

Figure 5. Concentrations of PM_2.5 in 2019 and 2020 in relation to the EU annual limit value

Figure 6: Percentage of reporting stations registering PM_2.5 concentrations above the EU annual limit value and the WHO long-term guideline in 2019 and 2020

Concentrations of PM_2.5  above the EU annual limit value were registered at 2% of reporting stations, 77% of which were urban and 13% suburban. Concentrations above the WHO AQG for PM_2.5 were registered across all reporting countries, except Estonia.  

Despite the generally decreasing levels of PM_2.5, some Member States had not yet met the exposure concentration obligation that was set under the Ambient Air Quality Directive to be attained as of 2015. 

Figure 7: PM_2.5 concentrations in 2019 by country in relation to the EU annual limit value

Ozone (O₃) is a pollutant formed in the atmosphere when heat and light cause chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including methane. Emissions of these gases are anthropogenic and, in the case of VOCs, also biogenic. Ozone also enters Europe from other parts of the northern hemisphere and from the upper atmosphere. Meteorology plays an important role in the formation and interannual variation of air pollutant concentrations, and this effect is especially significant for ozone.

Figure 8. Concentrations of O₃ in 2019 and 2020 in relation to the EU target value

Note: Data are presented here for 1 year only, not the average over a 3-year period as stated in the definition of the EU target value for O₃.

The highest concentrations were found in southern parts of Europe during spring and summer, when the meteorological conditions favour ozone formation.

Figure 9: Percentage of reporting stations registering O₃ concentrations above the EU target value and the WHO guideline in 2019 and 2020

The long-term EU objective for ozone of 120 µg/m³ was met at only 12 % of monitoring stations in 2019, with all countries reporting stations with concentrations above the long-term objective.

Figure 10. O₃ concentrations in 2019 by country in relation to the EU target value

Note: Data are presented here for 1 year only, not the average over a 3-year period as stated in the definition of the EU target value for O₃

In both 2019 and 2020, all countries had stations with concentrations above the WHO AQG of 100 µg/m³, with the WHO AQG for ozone exceeded at 97% of reporting stations in both years.

In 2020, the long-term EU objective for ozone was met at 18% of stations. Andorra was the only country in which all reported concentrations were below the long-term objective.

The main source of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is road transport, which emits NO₂ close to the ground and mostly in densely populated areas, contributing to population exposure. Other important sources are combustion processes in industry and energy supply.

The highest concentrations were found across Europe in bigger cities with a high traffic volume. The impact of the COVID-19 related lockdown measures during the reporting period is clearly seen for this air pollutant, as its main source — road transport — was also one of the most reduced activities.

Figure 11: Concentrations of NO₂ in 2019 and 2020 in relation to the EU annual limit value

Figure 12. Percentage of reporting stations registering NO₂ concentrations above the EU annual limit value and the WHO guideline in 2019 and 2020

Concentrations of NO₂ above the EU annual limit value were registered at 6% of all reporting stations, 87% of which were traffic stations.

Figure 13. NO₂ concentrations in 2019 by country and in relation to the EU annual limit value

Concentrations of NO₂ above the annual limit value were registered at 1% of reporting stations, 89% of which were traffic stations.

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a carcinogenic pollutant emitted mainly from the combustion of coal and wood and, to a lesser extent, from the combustion of agricultural waste.

The highest concentrations were found in central and eastern Europe, where the use of coal and other solid fuels for residential heating is widespread.

Figure 14: Concentrations of BaP in 2019

Concentrations above 1.0 ng/m³ were registered at 27% of the stations, of which 94% were urban (77%) or suburban (17%).

Figure 15: BaP concentrations in 2019 by country

Concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) in 2019:

• 6 reporting countries registered levels above the EU daily limit value

• 17 reporting countries (at 7% of the reporting stations) registered values above the daily WHO AQG (⁴)

In 2020 concentrations of SO₂ above the EU daily limit value were registered in two countries. In the same year, concentrations above the daily WHO AQG (⁴) were registered in 11 reporting countries, at 4% of the reporting stations.