EU report: Polluted environment threatens health

Hanna Helder studied German language and literature at the Albert Ludwig University in Freiburg. In addition to her studies, she has gained a lot of experience in radio and print journalism through internships and freelance work. She has been at the Burda School of Journalism since October 2018 and writes, among other things, as a trainee for

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A report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) comes to the conclusion: In Europe, around one in eight deaths occurs prematurely as a result of environmental pollution such as poor air quality.

Air pollution is the greatest environmental threat

More than 400,000 people die prematurely each year in the European Union as a result of air pollution. This is the result of a study by the European Environment Agency (EEA), which was published in Copenhagen on Tuesday. The report analyzed data on the impact of the environment on the health and well-being of Europeans.

Accordingly, in Europe, air pollution is still the greatest environmental threat to health. In 1990, however, the number of premature deaths due to this was still one million, said Catherine Ganzleben of the EEA.

630,000 prematurely deceased

The studies are based, among other things, on data from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the causes of death and disease from 2012. According to this, around 13 percent of annual deaths in Europe - the equivalent of 630,000 prematurely deceased - can be attributed to environmental factors. So they would be avoidable.

The most common causes of death include cancer, heart and lung diseases, and strokes. In second place is noise pollution, which leads to 12,000 premature deaths, the report said. Traffic noise is the main cause. Continuous exposure to sound can, among other things, affect the health of the heart: sleep disorders and rising stress levels, for example, disrupt the vascular function. This increases the risk of high blood pressure and ultimately other cardiovascular diseases.

Climate change is a growing health problem

Another health risk mentioned in the report is climate change - with heat waves and cold spells, floods and an increase in diseases, including those transmitted by insects. In parts of Northern Europe, for example, tick-borne tick-borne meningoencephalitis (TBE) is becoming a growing problem.

Another factor is the resistance of pathogens that can be traced back to excessive use of antibiotics. Chemical compounds such as pesticides used in agriculture are also a threat. The WHO has estimated that nearly three percent of global deaths are due to exposure to chemicals.

City dwellers, children, the elderly and the poor are particularly hard hit

People in urban environments are particularly affected by the consequences of climate change, said Ganzleben. She emphasized the importance of parks and other green spaces in cities, not least for disadvantaged groups. The benefits ranged from offers for physical activity, relaxation and social integration to cooler temperatures during heat waves and improved air quality.

A bad environment is a burden that can shorten life, especially for children, the elderly and the poor. Poverty often goes hand in hand with living in a polluted environment and poor health. "Addressing these issues must be part of an integrated approach to an inclusive and more sustainable Europe," said EEA Executive Director Hans Bruyninckx.

"Everyone has to understand that by protecting our planet we not only save ecosystems but also lives, especially those of those who are most vulnerable," stressed EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius. "This is exactly what the European Green Deal is about because it gives top priority to the fight against pollution and climate change, as well as protecting human health and the environment." (hh / dpa)

Tags:  Diseases nourishment elderly care