Belgium, (Brussels Morning) Exposure to air pollution is responsible for over 10% of all cancer cases in Europe, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report published today. In particular, second-hand smoke, radon, ultraviolet radiation, asbestos, certain chemicals and other pollutants are the major culprits identified by EEA.
Despite the cry for change, EEA acknowledges that decades of action on air pollution have significantly improved air quality across Europe, leading to a reduction in premature deaths.
However, around 300,000 people per year continue to lose their lives prematurely in the EU due to exposure to a single air pollutant — fine particulate matter (PM).
