Europe strongly opposes 'invisible killer'

The European Commission (EC) has planned new air quality control laws to combat air pollution - the "invisible killer" is killing thousands of people every year.

EC statistics show that in the countries of the European Union (EU), in 2010, more than 400,000 people died prematurely because of air pollution. In addition to these deaths, the coalition also lost 100 million labor days each year because of air pollution-related diseases, such as asthma.

Besides the effects on human health, the natural environment also suffers damage due to excessive nitrogen pollution and acid rain. Direct financial losses caused by air pollution to the society, including the destruction of crops and houses, are estimated at 23 billion Euros / year.

In 2010, in the European Union member states (EU) more than 400,000 people died prematurely because of air pollution.(Photo: Getty Images)

Janez Potocnik, EU environmental adviser, said, the new measures proposed would bring great benefits."The air pollution is still an" invisible killer ". The actions we propose will reduce by half the number of deaths due to air pollution. with nature and fragile ecosystems ".

The draft proposal of the EC outlines a program to ensure new clean air, in which the national discharge ceiling for the six major contaminants will be lowered and there will be limits on pollution to the medium-sized fuel burning facilities, such as small-scale power plants.

The above content will increase pressure, forcing member countries to comply with applicable laws. Currently 17 countries have violated regulations on air pollution and are being tried by EU courts.

According to the EC, new solutions aim to reduce 20% of pollutants from the current level by 2030. They are expected to help prevent 58,000 premature deaths each year and help EU member countries save 40 billion. Euro, more than 12 times the cost of implementing a new solution.

However, critics of the accusation, the EU's delay in action until 2030 is to concede to the forces in the industry and some non-cooperative countries in the alliance.