The Council and the Parliament reached a provisional deal concerning the revision of annexes to the persistent organic pollutant regulation in order to set further restrictions to the presence of these substances in waste. Persistent organic pollutants are particularly harmful chemicals. Although they are generally no longer used in new products, they can still be […]
Cutting emissions from planes and ships: EU actions explained
Emissions from planes and ships are increasing, while the EU wants to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Read about EU measures to reduce their emissions Despite only accounting for about 8 % of the EU’s total emissions, emissions from aviation and shipping are increasing. In an effort to cut the EU’s total emissions 55 % […]
HORIZON EUROPE: Towards a silent and ultra-low local air pollution aircraft
Expected Outcome Project results are expected to contribute to at least one of the following expected outcomes: Deliver transformative technologies that will allow a step change in the reduction of local air quality (LAQ) from NOx, SOx, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM) that occur below 900m above ground level around airports. Explore […]
Operation 30 Days at Sea 3.0 reveals 1,600 marine pollution offences worldwide
Frontex took active part in operation 30 Days at Sea, which was globally coordinated by Interpol. As part of the operation aimed at detecting environmental crime, Frontex planes and vessels monitored nearly 1 000 vessels. The operation’s tactical phase included the detection of 1,600 marine pollution offences, often triggering fines and follow-up investigations around the […]
The huge impact of air pollution on football
Given that millions of Europeans love football, whether watching matches live or on TV, playing for local teams or simply kicking a ball around in the local park with friends, it is no wonder that people think about how the cleanliness of the air that football players breathe can have a big impact on the […]
New approach to prevent chemical pollution
The European Environment Agency (EEA) published a report on how to ensure that chemicals are safe and sustainable while preventing them from affecting people, the environment and climate change. The EEA report “Delivering chemicals and products that are safe and sustainable by design” states that an evaluation of the performance of these products could reduce, […]
Emissions of most harmful air pollutants dropped in 2018, marking EU progress under UN Convention
The EEA report confirms the overall trend of steady but slow progress by EU Member States (including UK) since 1990 in reducing the emissions of the main air pollutants present in Europe. In all, 26 pollutants are monitored in the report sent by the EU to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Between 2017 […]
Air pollution affects brain development
90% of brain development happens by the age of four, so scientists want to understand the effects of air pollution at the earliest stages of life. Barcelona as an example Between 1981 and 1989, 26 outbreaks of asthma were reported in the Spanish city with many cases centred around the harbour. Local scientists eventually […]
H2020. Micro- and nano-plastics in our environment: Understanding exposures and impacts on human health
Global plastic production has increased exponentially over the past decades. A significant proportion of the plastic produced is not disposed of properly and persists in the environment, especially the marine environment. Specific Challenge Risk assessments and reviews carried out in recent years have concluded that there is evidence that humans are exposed to micro- and […]