Milan had the highest average PM2.5 concentration among Europe's most populated cities in 2021 and 2022, with 19.7 µg/m3. Milan sits in the Po Valley of Northern Italy, which is one of Europe's most polluted regions due to its geographical location and proximity to industrial activities. Poland's capital Warsaw ranked second, with average PM2.5 concentrations of 16.1 µg/m3 based on levels measured in 2021 and 2022. Warsaw is prone to poor air quality due to factors such as burning solid fuels for household heating. Around 97 percent of the European Union's urban population is exposed to PM2.5 concentrations above World Health Organization guidelines.
Average concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in the most populated cities in Europe from 2021 to 2022
(in micrograms per cubic meter of air)
Characteristic
Average concentration of PM2.5 in µg/m3
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Includes EU-27 member states, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland.
Supplementary notes
*Greater city areas. The release date has been set as date of site access.
Air quality categories are as follows: Good for levels of fine particulate matter that do not exceed the annual guideline value of the World Health Organization of 5 μg/m3. Fair for levels above 5 and not exceeding 10 μg/m3. Moderate for levels above 10 and not exceeding 15 μg/m3. Poor for levels above 15 and not exceeding 25 μg/m3. Very poor for levels at and above the European Union limit value of 25 μg/m3.
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EEA. (March 7, 2024). Average concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in the most populated cities in Europe from 2021 to 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter of air) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1455310/average-pm25-most-populated-cities-europe/
EEA. "Average concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in the most populated cities in Europe from 2021 to 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter of air)." Chart. March 7, 2024. Statista. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1455310/average-pm25-most-populated-cities-europe/
EEA. (2024). Average concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in the most populated cities in Europe from 2021 to 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter of air). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1455310/average-pm25-most-populated-cities-europe/
EEA. "Average Concentration of Fine Particles (Pm2.5) in The Most Populated Cities in Europe from 2021 to 2022 (in Micrograms per Cubic Meter of Air)." Statista, Statista Inc., 7 Mar 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1455310/average-pm25-most-populated-cities-europe/
EEA, Average concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in the most populated cities in Europe from 2021 to 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter of air) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1455310/average-pm25-most-populated-cities-europe/ (last visited July 22, 2024)
Average concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in the most populated cities in Europe from 2021 to 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter of air) [Graph], EEA, March 7, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1455310/average-pm25-most-populated-cities-europe/
