For most people, breathing is effortless. Yet for millions of Europeans with allergy, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe allergy, it is a daily challenge. Air pollution is not just an environmental issue but an ongoing health crisis. Despite progress in EU legislation, the reality is clear: only the full implementation of the new EU Air Quality Directive can ensure that health risks for patients are reduced.
The EU’s new Air Quality Directive was approved by the European Parliament plenary in April 2024 and by the Council in October 2024. It entered into force in December 2024 and will start applying at the end of 2026. However, there is a real risk that EU Member States may fail to fully implement the measures they agreed upon, as many have done in the past. If this happens, millions will remain exposed to harmful air pollution, leading to worsening symptoms, more emergency room visits, and increased strain on healthcare systems.
At the EU Healthy Air Coalition’s Policy Outlook event, EFA board member Christine Strous made it clear why implementation cannot be delayed. She shared powerful patient testimonies that revealed the human cost of air pollution. Their experiences emphasised the urgent need for stronger national actions to turn EU policy into real protection for those most affected.
The reality of living with air pollution
For many patients, air pollution is an unavoidable daily struggle. One patient shared: "Breathing polluted air is like feeling every breath as a weight. It reminds me every day that my health also depends on the quality of the air." Others spoke of the isolation they experience when pollution levels rise, forcing them to stay indoors. One caregiver described the fear of watching her child struggle to breathe when air pollution peaks, knowing that no inhaler can fully protect them.
For some, the effects are immediate and frightening. Another patient explained: "When air pollution is high, I first feel it in my nose and throat and then I realise that breathing gets harder. It is not normal to feel breathing." One patient even explained how pollution forces them to avoid certain regions in Europe altogether, as poor air quality increases their risk of pneumonia.
Beyond health, the impact extends to mental well-being and social life. "I never really sleep. I check on my child every night, as I did when they were a newborn. They are never again happy to be outside, careless, free. Never!" said one caregiver. Others described how pollution creates economic burdens, with one patient explaining how they are forced to invest in air sensors, protective masks and other costly precautions just to feel safe.
A path forward for cleaner air
The stakes are clear. Member States must fully implement the agreed measures to protect public health. Policymakers need to prioritise those most vulnerable to air pollution and address the real-life impact of air pollution by enforcing stricter pollution limits, improving air quality monitoring and ensuring national action plans are in place. Legislative commitments must translate into concrete action to guarantee that every European citizen has the right to #KeepBreathing cleaner air.