Pollution-Related Medical Expenses Cost Billions for EU Countries

A study found that the European Union (EU) spends billions annually to fund health costs linked to road air pollution, with almost €80 billion used in 2016 alone. The study, conducted by a research group from the Netherlands, tallied the number of hospital admissions, medical support, and early deaths in the EU to compute for the expenses. Of the total costs, 75% were used to address health issues caused by diesel emissions. According to the study, diesel emissions wreak havoc on people’s health because they contain dangerous microscopic particles that can enter the human body. Inhaling diesel emissions can result in asthma, lung cancer, stroke, and acute respiratory infection. A 2017 report also revealed that tens of thousands of deaths were attributed to air pollution. The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), the organization that commissioned the study, said that it is possible to reduce the medical expenses by 80% by 2030. To accomplish this, the study recommended using electric cars and banning diesel-powered vehicles manufactured before 2014. EPHA Policy Manager Zoltán Massay-Kosubek said that he supports zero to low-emission vehicles. He also advocates walking and cycling, which do not only help reduce air pollution but also provide health benefits. A number of governments in the EU are already creating plans to fight air pollution. The United Kingdom, France, and Spain plan to limit the sale of diesel-powered cars from 2040. Denmark will also put the same ban in place by 2030 and Scotland by 2032. Germany, on the other hand, has already implemented the ban in the cities of Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg.