Europe is failing its children when it comes to air pollution, exposing nearly all children across the continent to air that falls below healthy standards and delaying the clean-up of the sources of pollution, research has found.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/24/europe-failing-its-children-on-air-pollution-eea-says
According to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA), air pollution is affecting children’s health and development across Europe, and governments are failing to address the issue. The report states that exposure to air pollution can cause respiratory problems, reduce lung function, and increase the risk of asthma and allergies, as well as cognitive and behavioral problems. The EEA report calls for more action to reduce air pollution, including increased public awareness, better monitoring and reporting, and more ambitious targets to reduce emissions. The report also highlights the need to address the root causes of air pollution, such as traffic and industrial emissions. The EEA’s executive director calls on policymakers to take urgent action to protect children’s health and wellbeing.
Across Europe, 97% of the population, of all ages, were exposed to levels of air pollution higher than those deemed safe by the World Health Organization, according to the EEA.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/24/europe-failing-its-children-on-air-pollution-eea-says