EU proposes new air quality rules

Plans for new air quality laws have been drawn up by the European Commission, which could help to reduce the impact that air pollution has on human health. The new rules are to be put in place with the hope of reducing emissions by around 20 per cent compared to current levels by 2030.

The European Commission is hoping that the new stricter measures will help to reduce the number of air pollution-related premature deaths by around 58,000 each years. as well as cutting down on health implications, the introduction of new laws will also help the economy of each EU member state by saving an estimated €40 billion (£33 billion).

New rules include harsher caps for six of the main polluters, including sulphur dioxide, ammonia, ground level ozone, nitrogen oxides, methane, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds. A proposal has also suggested that mid-sized combustion engines should be altered in order to reduce emissions further. This would affect small-scale power plants and generators. 

It is not only human health that could benefit from new air quality rules, the environment - both natural and man-made - is heavily affected by air pollution. Impacts can include high levels of nitrogen and acid rain, which damages buildings and crops alike as well as costing the EU €23 billion. 

Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik said in a statement: "The air we breathe today is much cleaner than in past decades. But air pollution is still an 'invisible killer' and it prevents many people from living a fully active life.

"The actions we are proposing will halve the number of premature deaths from air pollution, increase protection for the vulnerable groups who need it most, and improve quality of life for all. It's also good news for nature and fragile ecosystems, and it will boost the clean technology industry - an important growth sector for Europe."

The new rules could be incredibly beneficial for all EU member states, especially as 2010 saw 400,000 people die prematurely from air pollution-related illnesses throughout the EU. They could also help toward the global fight against climate change.