Health effects of fine particles - Assessing the health burden of fine particles and options for stronger EU action

The original full study discusses the health effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), trends in exposure across the EU, and the effectiveness of EU legal and policy frameworks. It draws on an umbrella review of 198 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, quantitative exposure analysis, stakeholder interviews and comparative case studies across EU Member States. The study shows consistent health effects of PM2.5 exposure across multiple disease categories and identifies persistent inequalities in exposure across populations and regions, with no safe threshold for PM2.5 exposure identified. It proposes evidence-based policy recommendations to reduce health impacts across the EU. The study was provided by the Policy Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health at the request of the Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Public Health (SANT).