Twelve EU member states exceed air pollutant limits in 2010, potentially damaging health and vegetation according to a report released February 22 by the European Environment Agency (EEA), however concerned EU citizens can receive real time air quality updates via the web and Twitter.
The February 22 report found that, based on preliminary data, 12 EU member states exceeded the legally binding emission limits in 2010 as set out by the EU NEC Directive.
The 12 countries which failed to meet emission targets in 2010 were Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Spain and Sweden, the 12th country -- Finland -- failed to meet ammonia emission standards only.
EEA executive director Prof. Jacqueline McGlade stated "These pollutants contribute to health problems and can also lead to economic losses and environmental damage."
Members of the public living within the EU concerned about the amount of pollutants in the air where they live can check real-time data on air quality online at: http://www.airqualitynow.eu -- and selecting 'comparing cities' or follow the site via Twitter for real time updates @Airqualitynow.
In January authorities in Beijing announced that they would begin to publish 'more accurate data' regarding air pollution levels within the city following a social media campaign by concerned citizens.
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