Albania: 2,120 deaths from air pollution during 2016

The situation in Albania is presented as there were 2,120 deaths last year due to high concentration of harmful particles.

The European Agency recommends increasing efforts to reduce air pollution levels below those defined by the European Union, which requires global commitment.

The 2016 report on air quality in Europe by the European Environment Agency has published frightening figures for our country regarding the number of premature deaths as a result of air pollution.

Many 2120 lost their lives during 2016, of which 2,010 were victims of high concentrations of tiny particles in the air, 10 of the concentration of nitrogen dioxide, and 100 of the ozone concentration.

Compared to 2013, when 776 people died, that figure almost tripled. The most alarming situation in the region is presented in Serbia, where 10,730 people have lost their lives during 2016 because of air pollution, Oranews writes.

Meanwhile, Montenegro holds the most positive record in the region with only 660 deaths, according to the Air Quality Report, for the next year.

The report notes that the air quality in Europe exceeds the values set by the European Union -- a trend expected to continue until 2020, despite a slight improvement over the 2006-2014 period.

The European Environment Agency recommends increasing efforts to reduce the concentration of harmful particles below the level set by the European Union itself.

According to this report, effective air quality policies require action and co-operation not only at regional or continental levels, but on global levels, which should particularly affect economic sectors and include the public.

The European Environment Agency views this co-operation as important and necessary to achieve a protection of natural capital and support for economic, social and welfare development, points that are part of the European Union's vision of 2050 for good living within the borders of the planet.