Premature deaths in the EU-27 due to PM₂.₅ levels above the 2021 WHO guidelines and distance to the zero pollution target, 2005-2020

The figure shows the premature deaths attributed to long-term exposure to PM2.5 above the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) guideline level in EU-27 in the period 2005-2020. The linear trend of that time series and the estimated year by which the Zero Pollution Action Plan (ZPAP) target (by 2030, minimum 55% reduction of the premature deaths occurred in 2005) would be met if the premature deaths are reduced following that linear trend.

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Methodology

The number of premature deaths have been calculated according to methodology described in EEA´s briefing Assessing the risks to health from air pollution (https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/assessing-the-risks-to-health/assessing-the-risks-to-health) and ETC/ATNI Eionet report 13/2019 (https://www.eionet.europa.eu/etcs/etc-atni/products/etc-atni-reports/etc-atni-report-13-2019-health-risk-assessment-of-air-pollution-in-europe-methodology-description-and-2017-results). The updated methodology is published in the forthcoming ETC-EH Eionet report 2022/10.

Units

Number of premature deaths attributed to fine particulate matter.

Additional information

The continue line shows the number of premature deaths attributed to exposure to PM_2.5, in the period 2005-2020.
The dotted line shows the estimation of the evolution in the number of premature deaths attributed to PM_2.5 assuming a linear trend in the time series 2005-2020.
The horizontal line represents the Zero Pollution Action Plan target for 2030: 55% of the premature deaths in 2005. The 2030 ZPAP target would be attained in 2026, when the horizontal and dotted lines cross.

Premature deaths in the EU-27 due to PM₂.₅ levels above the 2021 WHO guidelines and distance to the zero pollution target, 2005-2020

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References and footnotes