Press Release: Air pollution: Commission starts legal action against 10 Member States over airborne particles

The European Commission had to start infringement proceedings against 10 Member States for failing to comply with the EU's air quality standard for dangerous airborne particles known as PM10. These particles, emitted mainly by industry, traffic and domestic heating, can cause asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death. The Commission's action followed the entry into force last June of the new EU air quality directive, which allows Member States to request, under certain conditions and for specific parts of the country, limited extra time to meet the PM10 standard in force since 2005.