A DIRECTIVE aiming to improve air quality and reduce the concentration of particles that cause respiratory diseases has been launched by the European Commission.
The new measures set binding targets for reducing concentrations of fine particles that can cause asthma, chronic bronchitis and reduce life expectancy.
Under the directive, EU member states are required to reduce exposure to PM2.5 - a measure used for the mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air - in urban areas by an average of 20 per cent by 2020.
Sources of PM2.5 include fuel combustion, power plants, wood burning and industrial processes.
The particles created are so small they are able to penetrate to the deepest parts of the lungs when inhaled, which results in respiratory problems. The particles also contribute negatively to the environment and are a factor in the formation of acid rain.
Air pollution causes the premature death of almost 370,000 EU citizens every year and has been found to reduce average life expectancy by some nine months.
The Department of the Environment welcomed the directive, saying air quality in Ireland was within EU regulations and that maintaining this was a priority.
European environment commissioner Stavros Dimas said the new directive could prove to be a big step towards tackling the problem.
"The European Union has taken a decisive step in tackling a major cause of environmental and health problems. The new directive on air quality addresses this concern by providing ambitious but realistic standards for fine particle pollution in the EU," he said.
