Brussels, 08/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - The higher the levels of exposure to air pollution the greater the extent of deterioration of lung health in adult European citizens, according to a new European study published on Saturday 6 September by the European Respiratory Society (ERS). This is the first time a clear link has been established in adults.
The study, “Adult lung function and long-term air pollution exposure. ESCAPE: a multicentre cohort study and meta-analysis,” was conducted on 7,613 people in eight European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) as part of the EU-funded ESCAPE project.
It shows, too, that those suffering from obesity are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of air pollution, possibly due to an increased risk of lung inflammation.
“The ESCAPE project has clearly confirmed that air quality largely differs across Europe. The findings of this project are crucial as they demonstrate that air pollution is having a negative effect, not only on children as previously demonstrated, but also into adulthood. Although the levels we see in Europe are much lower than in the so-called megacities in China and India, we are still seeing a deterioration of lung function in people exposed to higher levels of air pollution and this must be addressed”, said senior author of the report Nicole Probst-Hensch and lead author Martin Adam.
A Eurobarometer survey published on Monday 8 September puts air pollution among the major environmental concerns of EU citizens (see other article). Making progress on the pure air for Europe legislative package in one of the Italian Presidency's environmental priorities (see EUROPE 11114). (AN)