Overview                                                     

Air pollution mainly refers to the emission of substances in the air which are deemed as having negative health effects on humans. When it comes to air pollution, within the EU, focus is placed on improving air quality by setting up emissions limits, improving fuel quality and addressing environmental and health issues within sectors such as the industrial, transport and energy. Some of the air pollutants tackled by the issued directives and legislation include sulphur dioxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide as well as benzene and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). 

The European commission adopted the EU Strategy on Environment and Health in 2003, aiming to reduce diseases caused by environmental factors in Europe. The European Environment and Health Action Plan 2004-2010 was then established. In addition, there is the Sixth Environment Action Programme (6th EAP), a decision of the European Parliament and the Council adopted on 22nd July 2002 where air pollution is an area of focus under the Environment and Health priority area.

Some of the most important milestones were achieved through the Clean Air For Europe (CAFE) programme. Through important work within this framework, the Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution was set, and the directive on Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner air for Europe was formulated. 

The EC has also put in place the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR); a Europe-wide register that provides easily accessible key environmental data from industrial facilities in European Union Member States and in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.