The statistics are part of a new survey by the European Environment AgencyExternal link, which puts the number of premature deaths in European countries at more than 400,000. The figures are for 2016 and are based on data collected in 2017 in more than 4,000 measuring stations across Europe.
In its data for SwitzerlandExternal link, the report says there were 3,700 premature deaths attributable to particulate matter (PM), 620 to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and 240 to ozone (O3).
External Content
Premature deaths are considered to be those that occur before an expected age, normally standard life expectancy for a country and gender, the EEA explains.
It says that while Europe has made progress on reducing air pollution, it continues to harm human health and the environment, especially in cities. “We are making progress,” says EEA director Hans Bruyninckx of Belgium, but “it’s time to speed up changes in energy, food production and mobility”.
In Europe, the highest concentrations of fine particles in the air are to be found in northern Italy, Poland and the Balkans, according to the EEA. It nevertheless points out that the number of premature deaths caused by such particles has dropped by half a million compared with the 1990s.
More
More
Why current air pollution limits only tackle half the problem
This content was published on
A comparison of air samples from Switzerland and China suggests that setting pollution restrictions based on particle size alone may not be enough.
Is artificial intelligence an advantage or a disadvantage for workers?
What is your experience with AI at work? Have you already used it? Has it helped you work better? Or has it caused you more stress, more work or caused you to lose your job? Tell us about your experiences!
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
European firms add to global air quality problems
This content was published on
A Swiss expert warns that although Europe’s air quality has improved, European companies are contributing to dirty air in other regions.
This content was published on
The water quality studyExternal link from the Federal Office for the EnvironmentExternal link (FOEN), released on Thursday, said groundwater faces the greatest pressures in areas of high farming activity. It stated that groundwater is currently safe to drink but argued for a range of measures to ensure that remains the case. The study measured water…
Poor Swiss air causes 5,000 premature deaths a year
This content was published on
Air pollution has significant impacts on the health of Europeans, particularly in urban areas, according to a report published on Wednesday by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Air Quality in Europe 2016External link presents an updated overview and analysis of air quality in Europe from 2000 to 2014 based on data from official monitoring stations…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.