On 13th May, Science For Environmental Policy, DG Environment news alert service, published its online 4th special issue on air pollution. It highlighted the important role of traffic emissions and wood burning in higher risk of premature death.

According to a new study carried out in the Netherlands, there is an association between long-term exposure to air pollution from car emissions and higher rates of mortality.

The study particularly focused on nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, PM2.5 and black smoke emissions from traffic.

Results showed a more notable association between nitrogen dioxide, black smoke and deaths from respiratory diseases. Also, results on PM2.5 highlighted that the association between fine particules and diseases is higher than expected in cities.

However rates are expected to drop as the new Air Quality Directive, adopted on 14 April 2008, requires Member States to reduce exposure of PM2.5 in urban areas by 20 per cent by 2020.

In parallel, a recent study analysed air pollution in northern Europe residential area. The case study took place in Finland. Result show that residential wood-burning is the most harmful source of air pollution at local level. Fine particles and volatile organic compounds such as benzene are particularly hazardous for health and environment and are produced via wood combustion.

In addition to being the most harmful source of local air pollution, wood burning is also the main source of pollution in local air with up to 70 per cent of benzene detected in the air from wood combustion.

For more information on these studies’ results:
 Access the Science For Environmental Policy webpage