The European Environment Agency (EEA) published a report in which it finds that air quality in Europe has improved between 1990 and 2009, as emissions of most pollutants have fallen, but there is still a lot of room for improvement, as many EU countries are expected to exceed the emissions ceilings in 2010 for at least one pollutant.

According to a report recently published by the European Environment Agency (EEA), Europe’s air quality is generally getting better, but concentrations of some pollutants are still endangering people’s health. This statement has been made by Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director, following the presentation of the Europe's air quality report. In July, the Commission also launched a broad consultation about air quality in Europe.

The report also found that ozone and PM are the most problematic pollutants for health, potentially causing or aggravating cardiovascular and lung diseases and leading to premature death. Eutrophication, an oversupply of nutrient nitrogen in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is another major problem caused by air pollutants. Ammonia (NH3) from agriculture and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from combustion processes are now the main acidifying and eutrophying air pollutants, as sulphur pollution has fallen in recent years. Many air pollutants also contribute to climate change.

The recommendations made within the report to improve air quality include to use many different kinds of policies and measures, such as reducing emissions levels at source, better urban planning to reduce people’s exposure and lifestyle changes at the individual level.