Over 1,000 minors die each year from air pollution in Europe

As with adults, air pollution is a major threat to the health of minors, affecting their life span.

The study considered over 30 countries, including the 27 EU member states.

“The air rate causes more than 12,000 premature deaths annually (in the age group) under 18 in Europe, and significantly increases the risk of diseases” for minors, EEA points out in its report.

Despite progress in recent years, the level of major air pollutants remains high despite recommendations from the World Health Organization, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in Italy”, the report says.

Several countries in Europe, including Britain and Ukraine, were not part of the study, suggesting that the number of victims on the continent is likely to be even higher, reports abcnews.al.

According to another report, published by EEA in November, at least 238,000 people despite age died in 2020 because of air pollution in member countries of the organisation ( The EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Turkey.

The report published today is the first of EEA focusing on minors. Although the percentage of children and teenagers affected by air pollution is <x0)relativeally small” compared to population overall.

EEA recommends focusing on air quality around schools and nests, as well as sports and transport facilities. The effects of pollution start even before birth, as the mother's exposure to it “is linked to the infant's low weight and premature births”, the report notes.

After birth, environmental pollution increases the risk of health problems such as asthma, which affects 9% of children and teenagers in Europe, problems with breathing and various respiratory diseases, the EEA also points to the report.