Health

Air Pollution Causes 239,000 Deaths in Europe, Unevenly Impacting Regions

Published

2 days ago

January 13, 2025

RTX

Air pollution remains one of Europe’s deadliest public health challenges, contributing to approximately 239,000 premature deaths in 2021 due to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA). Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure accounted for an additional 48,000 deaths, highlighting the urgent need for stricter air quality regulations across the continent.

Regional Disparities in Air Pollution

The burden of air pollution is not evenly distributed, with Eastern Europe suffering disproportionately. North Macedonia reports the highest pollution-related mortality rates, followed by Serbia, Albania, Bulgaria, and Montenegro, according to a joint report by the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Zorana Jovanovic Andersen, an environmental epidemiology professor at the University of Copenhagen, noted that socioeconomic disparities between Eastern and Western Europe align closely with pollution-related health risks.

In Northern Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic, residential sources like coal heating and agriculture drive high PM2.5 mortality rates. Meanwhile, NO2-related deaths, largely attributed to traffic and industrial emissions, are most prevalent in major cities across Western and Southern Europe.

Efforts to Address the Crisis

In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its air quality guidelines, reducing recommended thresholds for PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations. To align with these standards, the European Union introduced stricter air quality rules in December, aiming to cut PM2.5-related deaths by 55% by 2030.

Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, director of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health’s urban planning initiative, described the updated directive as “one of the biggest public health interventions for a generation.”

The EU directive also grants citizens the right to sue their governments for failing to meet air quality standards. Denmark is taking additional steps, proposing a carbon tax on livestock farming to reduce agricultural emissions.

Persistent Challenges

Despite progress, experts warn that reducing air pollution alone may not fully eliminate its health impacts. Nieuwenhuijsen explained that even significant reductions in pollutant levels might not correspond to proportional decreases in health risks.

Moreover, air pollution often intersects with other environmental challenges, such as noise pollution, lack of green spaces, and climate change. Together, these factors amplify public health threats, particularly for older adults, who experience higher mortality rates linked to air pollution.

“While we’ve made strides in reducing pollution, new challenges are emerging,” Andersen said, emphasizing the importance of continued regulation.

As Europe pushes for cleaner air, experts agree that addressing pollution is a vital step toward mitigating the broader impacts of environmental and climate-related health risks.

Health

Handwashing Habits Across Europe Highlight Hygiene Gaps Amid Flu Season

Published

2 days ago

January 13, 2025

RTX

As Europe faces a flu outbreak, personal hygiene practices, particularly handwashing, are coming under scrutiny. Influenza, though often underestimated due to advancements in vaccines, claims an estimated 27,600 lives annually across the continent, underscoring the importance of basic hygiene measures.

Recent data on Europeans’ handwashing habits reveals significant disparities between nations in their commitment to this essential practice. The findings, while nearly a decade old, highlight enduring habits that remain relevant today.

Hygiene Lapses in the Netherlands and Southern Europe

The Netherlands stands out as a country where hand hygiene needs improvement, with nearly half of Dutch individuals reportedly neglecting to wash their hands after using the restroom. Italy follows closely, with 43% of its population skipping the soap-and-water routine.

Spain (39%) and France (38%) also rank poorly, alongside Russia (37%). In Austria and Latvia, 35% of people admit to forgoing handwashing after bathroom use.

Central and Eastern Europe Show Mixed Results

Poland demonstrates a stronger commitment to hygiene, with 68% of its population practicing regular handwashing. Slightly better scores are observed in Czechia and Ukraine, where 71% of individuals wash their hands, followed by Bulgaria at 72%.

Switzerland, Ireland, and the UK perform well, with handwashing rates ranging between 73% and 75%. Scandinavian nations, including Finland (76%) and Sweden (78%), align closely with Germany and Iceland, both also scoring 78%.

Southeastern Europe Leads the Way

Countries in Southeastern Europe top the charts for hand hygiene. Serbia reports an 83% compliance rate, followed by Romania (84%) and Kosovo (85%). Portugal matches Kosovo’s figures, with only 15% of its population neglecting post-restroom handwashing.

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Türkiye lead the continent, with 96% and 94% of their populations, respectively, adhering to regular handwashing. These nations serve as examples of prioritizing hygiene, a practice especially crucial during flu season.

The Importance of Hand Hygiene

The data highlights a clear divide in hygiene practices across Europe, emphasizing the need for greater public awareness. Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infections, including influenza, yet it remains overlooked in many countries.

As flu season persists, health experts urge citizens to adopt rigorous hygiene habits. While the statistics may be dated, the trends they reveal about handwashing reflect enduring cultural attitudes that health campaigns must continue to address.

With proper education and awareness, Europe could significantly reduce the spread of flu and other communicable diseases, ensuring healthier outcomes for all.

Health

Lead Pollution During Roman Empire May Have Contributed to Decline in IQ, Study Finds

Published

7 days ago

January 8, 2025

RTX

A new study has revealed that lead pollution during the Roman Empire may have caused a significant decline in intelligence levels among the European population, with estimates suggesting a drop of two-and-a-half to three points in IQ. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), explores the health impacts of lead pollution during the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and prosperity that lasted for about 200 years.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) in the United States, builds on previous work identifying periods of high lead pollution during the Roman Empire, caused by the mining and smelting of silver and lead ores. Lead exposure is known to have serious health consequences, particularly in children, and this new research sheds light on the extent of its impact on the Roman population.

Lead pollution during the Pax Romana is believed to have released over 500 kilotons of lead into the atmosphere, contaminating the entire Roman Empire. This was followed by a decrease in pollution during the Antonine Plague outbreak from 165 to 180 CE.

To assess the level of lead exposure, the researchers analyzed three Arctic ice core samples, which offered precise records of historical pollution levels. Using atmospheric modeling, the team was able to estimate the concentration of lead in Europe 2,000 years ago. They then applied modern epidemiological techniques to link these pollution levels to blood lead levels in children, which are associated with cognitive decline.

Joe McConnell, a research professor at DRI and lead author of the study, explained, “What we set out to do is to try to understand how significant lead poisoning was from this background of air pollution and what its health effects might have been.” The research suggests that lead exposure during the Roman Empire could have led to measurable reductions in IQ, particularly affecting brain development in children.

The study’s findings underscore the ongoing risks of lead exposure, which the World Health Organization (WHO) states can cause a variety of health issues, including reduced IQ, learning problems, and behavioral disorders. Even low levels of exposure can lead to anaemia, kidney damage, hypertension, and reproductive issues.

While the researchers focused on the direct inhalation of lead, they noted that exposure could also have occurred through other means, such as utensils, paint, and cosmetics. McConnell remarked that the findings highlight the far-reaching impact of human industrial activities, even in ancient times, and emphasize the continued need for environmental cleanup efforts.

“The two-and-a-half to three-point decline in IQ may not sound like much, but when it applies to the entire population, it’s a pretty big deal,” McConnell added, stressing the importance of understanding the long-term health impacts of pollution.

Health

Belgium’s Food Agency Issues Warning After Ghent Suggests Eating Christmas Trees

Published

7 days ago

January 8, 2025

RTX

The Belgian Federal Food Agency (FASFC) has issued an unusual warning urging people not to consume their Christmas trees, following a campaign by the city of Ghent encouraging residents to recycle pine needles in recipes. The campaign, which suggested using pine needles in cooking to reduce waste, has raised health concerns.

Last week, Ghent’s local authorities launched an initiative to promote sustainability after the holiday season. One of the suggestions was to repurpose pine needles from Christmas trees to create flavored butter and soups, inspired by traditional Scandinavian recipes. The city posted on its website explaining that in Scandinavia, pine needles are harvested from tree branches, briefly boiled, strained, and dried before being used to make spruce needle butter for bread or toast.

“In Scandinavia, they have been doing it for a long time: picking the needles from the branches, briefly immersing them in boiling water, pouring them through a sieve, and drying them on a clean cloth,” the post read. “Once the needles are dry, you can make delicious spruce needle butter with them.”

However, the FASFC quickly responded with a seasonal health warning. The agency cautioned that Christmas trees are not intended for consumption and pointed out that many trees are treated with pesticides, chemicals, and potentially harmful flame retardants. “What’s more, there is no easy way for consumers to tell if Christmas trees have been treated with flame retardant — and not knowing that could have serious, even fatal consequences,” the agency said in a statement.

The FASFC emphasized that there is no way to guarantee the safety of eating Christmas trees, either for humans or animals. As a result, Ghent’s local council removed the post from its Facebook page and updated the heading on its website from “Eat your Christmas tree” to “Scandinavians eat their Christmas trees.” A new warning was also added, clarifying that “not all Christmas trees are edible” and cautioning people not to confuse them with yew trees, which are toxic.

While the initial campaign was aimed at encouraging recycling and reducing waste, the controversy has sparked a debate over the safety of using Christmas trees in food. The FASFC’s warning has led to a renewed focus on the potential risks associated with the chemicals used in the production and treatment of Christmas trees, reminding people to think carefully before attempting any unconventional culinary uses.