Press Release: Air pollution: Commission takes action over levels of sulphur dioxide and PM10 in Member States

The European Commission is taking action over harmful levels of air pollution in EU member states. It has started infringement procedures against France, Italy, Spain, Slovenia and the UK for exceeding EU limits on ambient concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2), an air pollutant from industrial installations that can cause respiratory problems and aggravate cardiovascular disease. The Commission is also asking 23 member states to provide information on the measures they are taking to reduce the levels of airborne particles known as PM10 to meet EU standards. These coarse particles emitted by industry and traffic can cause asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death. Some 70% of European towns and cities with 250,000 inhabitants or more have reported exceeding the PM10 limits in at least part of their area. EU limit values for sulphur dioxide, PM10 and several other pollutants were agreed in a 1999 Directive.