The European Environment Agency (EEA) listed tiny airborne particles and ozone¹ as posing a "significant threat".

 

However, the authors said nations had significantly cut emissions² of a number of pollutants³, including sulphur dioxide, lead and carbon monoxide.

 

In a separate study, research identified a link between low birth-weight and exposure to air pollution.

 

EEA executive director Hans Bruyninckx said that EU nations had made considerable progress over recent decades to reduce the visible signs of air pollution, with cities now no longer shrouded⁴ in blankets of smog.

 

However, he added: "Air pollution is causing damage to human health and ecosystems⁶. Large parts of the population do not live in a healthy environment, according to current standards.

 

"To get on to a sustainable path, Europe will have to be ambitious and go beyond current legislation."

 

The EEA report showed that data suggested that up to 96% of the EU's urban population was exposed to fine particulate⁷ matter concentrations above UN World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

 

Even more, 98%, were subject to ground-level ozone concentrations above WHO recommended levels.

 

As well has urban outdoor air quality, the report also highlighted that the natural environment was also continuing to suffer.

 

It said ecosystem⁵ were subject to the pressure of air pollution impairing⁸ vegetation growth and harming biodiversity."

 

The EEA also produced country-by-country breakdown⁹ of air quality data.

 

Responding to the report's findings, Environment Commissioner¹⁰ Janez Potocnik said: "Air quality is a central concern for many people.

 

"Surveys show that a large majority of citizens understand well the impact of air quality on health and are asking public authorities to take action at EU, national and local levels."

 

He added that he was willing to address those concerns in the Commission's Air Policy Review.

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