30/03/2020 (Agence Europe) – Although there is a dramatic decrease in air pollution in cities due to the containment in response to the coronavirus pandemic (see EUROPE 12453/5), “the damage is already done for patients [suffering from COVID-19] ”, the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) said on Monday 30 March. “Years of breathing in dirty air from traffic fumes and other sources will have weakened the health of all those who are now embroiled in a life or death fight against COVID-19”, said EPHA Acting Secretary General Sascha Marschang. Recalling that nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and ground-level ozone (O₃) particles cause about 400,000 premature deaths each year in Europe, Mr Marschang called on the EU to take decisive action to significantly reduce air pollution levels, including by “de-polluting” cars, once the COVID-19 crisis is over. (DG)