Research shows that European air falls below health standards, failing its children across the bloc.

“(Children) receive more pollution, and it starts in the womb and continues in kindergarten and onwards. We are failing our children on air pollution,” Gerardo Sanchez Martinez, an expert in environment and health at the European Environment Agency, said.

The poor air quality causes the premature death of over 1,200 children yearly, according to the latest report by the EEA.

Pollution affects children more than adults because they have a faster breathing rate, and spend more time outside.

In 2021, 97% of the urban population was exposed to high concentrations of fine particulate matter, levels above the guidelines set by the World Health Organisation.

The EEA publication covered 37 countries, including all EU member states and countries such as Turkey, Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro, and examines air pollutants including particulates, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and sulphur dioxide.

The UK was left out of the EEA study, as they withdrew their EEA membership with Brexit.

The highest ozone levels were seen in the Mediterranean region and central Europe – including Malta.

About 250 people die from air pollution in Malta every year.

”It is urgent that we continue to step up measures at the EU, at national and local level, to protect our children, who cannot protect themselves. The surest way to keep them safe is by making the air we all breathe cleaner,” Hans Bruyninckx, executive director of the EEA, stated.