It is true that the air in the EU improved so much between 2005 and 2020. Premature deaths from particulate matter exposure fell by 45 percent. But unfortunately there are still 240,000 people per year who die earlier from fine dust pollution. Airborne pollutants are still considered the greatest environmental health hazard. Air pollutants are one of the main causes of premature death and illness. Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death, followed by lung cancer and other lung diseases. Source NTV

Men, people over 50 and low-income earners

Heart disease, strokes, lung cancer: Particulate matter pollution is considered the world’s greatest environmental health hazard. Now a new study shows that even a moderate reduction in air pollution pays off – three population groups in particular benefit. Particulate matter in ambient air is the world’s number one environmental health hazard, causing an estimated 4.1 million premature deaths worldwide in 2019. According to researchers, men, people over 50 and low-income earners benefit disproportionately from the reduction in particulate matter pollution. Source World / PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)