About: particulate matter
In legal first, court faults France over air pollution
A court on Tuesday (25 June) found the French state had failed to take sufficient steps to limit air pollution around Paris, a legal first in the country hailed by environmental campaigners as a victory for victims of dirty air.
Air pollution almost as bad for babies as smoking during pregnancy
Dirty air can lead to women giving birth to smaller babies, according to new research which also warns that exposure to air pollution during pregnancy rivals the damage done by smoking.
Smog chokes coal-addicted Poland
The soupy grey smog shrouding Polish cities this winter is one of the most visible symptoms of the EU member's addiction to coal, a deadly habit forcing many to stay indoors or don masks before venturing out.
Petrol cars allowed to exceed pollution limits by 50% under draft EU laws
New European cars with petrol engines will be allowed to overshoot a limit on toxic particulates emissions by 50% under a draft EU regulation backed by the UK and most other EU states. Our partner The Guardian reports.
Air pollution now major contributor to stroke, global study finds
Air pollution has become a major contributor to stroke for the first time, with unclean air now blamed for nearly one third of the years of healthy life lost to the condition worldwide.
20 cities challenge relaxation of EU air pollution standards
Ordered to cut air pollution levels by Brussels, a group of EU cities are taking the Commission to court over its decision to relax car emissions standards, making their objectives even less attainable. EURACTIV France reports.
Climate action will reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, say experts
Protecting the climate and public health go hand in hand. The European Society of Cardiology has joined the call for climate action to help cut the risk of cardiovascular disease. EURACTIV France reports.
Pollution from ships kills thousands each year
Shipping emissions are an invisible killer that cause lung cancer and heart disease, a new study has found, but researchers say the 60,000 deaths they cause each year could be significantly cut by exhaust filtration devices.
Traffic-related air pollution linked to type 1 diabetes in children
Several studies have already linked the likelihood of death by respiratory and circulatory illness to the level of fine dust particles in the air. A Munich study now shows that high levels of fine dust pollution could increase the risk of type 1 diabetes among children. EURACTIV Germany reports.
WHO air pollution review prompts new EU policy promises
The European Commission has promised a review of the EU's clean air standards later this year after new research by the World health Organization (WHO) suggested links between air pollution and health conditions ranging from neurodevelopment disorders to cardiovascular and respiratory deaths.
Black carbon’s global warming role ‘still unproven’
The fine dust particles emitted from burning wood or fuel, referred to as black carbon, are "likely to play a role in climate change" but should not divert attention away from carbon dioxide, EU officials said.