Air pollution affects 94% of European urban residents

Air pollution remains a major environmental health risk in Europe, with 94 percent of urban residents breathing air that exceeds World Health Organization recommendations. While pollution levels have decreased across the continent over recent decades, European Union air quality standards are still not being fully met.

Globally, air pollution is linked to nearly 7 million premature deaths annually. Beyond respiratory issues like lung cancer, exposure is associated with strokes, heart disease, diabetes, dementia, obesity, and developmental issues in children. The burden is disproportionately high in low- and middle-income countries, which account for approximately 89 percent of pollution-related deaths.

In Hungary, although the situation has improved, many Hungarian cities remain among the most polluted in Europe. The impact of poor air quality is particularly severe for vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those living near industrial sites or high-traffic roads.