After several years of decline for more than half of the 26 air pollutants monitored in the EU, emissions increased slightly in 2017 compared to the previous year, confirmed the European Environment Agency (EEA) on Monday 22 July.
According to the EEA, the emissions came from agriculture, transport, industry and households.
Its report, based on the annual EU emissions inventory submitted to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on long-range transboundary air pollution, shows that emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) increased by 1.3%, carbon monoxide (CO) by 0.2% and ammonia (NH3) by 0.4% for the fourth consecutive year.
This was highlighted in June by the EEA in its report on the EU's NEC Directive on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants (see EUROPE 12285/13).
Emissions of particulate matter and several heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants also increased slightly in 2017.
In addition, the stationary residential combustion sector (including domestic stoves) emits 51% of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). In addition, 42% of carbon monoxide, 42% of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 24% of dioxins and furans and 16% of heavy metal cadmium were released from this single source. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)