According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), following a survey of over 30 nations, including the 27 members of the European Union, European countries "remain stubbornly above World Health Organization" (WHO) norms, mainly in central-eastern Europe and Italy.

The research does not include the main industrial nations of Russia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom, implying that the continents overall death toll may be greater than the number projected. Last November, the EEA predicted that 238,000 people in the EU, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey, would die prematurely due to air pollution in 2020.

The agency noted that air pollution causes over 1,200 premature deaths per year in people under the age of 18 in Europe and significantly increases the risk of disease later in life. This was the first study by the agency that was focused on children. The report showed that after birth, ambient air pollution increases the risk of several health problems, including asthma, reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and allergies.

According to figures released on Monday, 97% of the urban population was exposed to air particle composition that did not meet WHO recommendations in 2021. Last year, the EEA underlined that the EU was on track to reduce premature deaths by 50% by 2030 compared with 2005.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/air-pollution-kills-1200-children-a-year-eu-agency/99721747 )