Urban environment — key message 2

Despite substantial reductions in some urban air pollutants, data for the period 1997 to 2008 show that for any given year up to 40 to 60 % of urban citizens can be exposed to concentrations of either particulate matter or ozone above the EU limits. Environmental noise, mainly from transport, continues to affect large numbers of people. Urban wastewater collection and treatment improved markedly, but discharges of some harmful chemicals remain a concern.