Airborne pollutants from shipping and aviation are increasing, posing a growing threat to human health, particularly for those living near ports and airports, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing released today. The report urges better monitoring of air pollution in these transportation hubs.
The EEA briefing, titled “Air quality around ports and airports,” predicts that maritime transport could become the primary source of transport-related air pollution in coastal cities by 2030. It examines the monitoring network and air quality levels at key European ports and airports.
This study backs the EU’s revised Ambient Air Quality Directive, highlighting ports and airports as potential air quality hotspots in need of enhanced monitoring to properly evaluate the impact of these pollution sources. The briefing analyzes air quality monitoring networks and levels at major ports and airports in 18 European countries, with a focus on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
Rising nitrogen oxides emissions from maritime transport are becoming a significant contributor to total nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions in the transport sector. Similarly, aviation emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter have been increasing over the past decades.
The revised EU Ambient Air Quality Directive introduces updated standards to be met by 2030, aligning more closely with WHO recommendations to mitigate health and environmental impacts. It also defines “air quality hotspots,” areas with particularly high pollution levels requiring targeted monitoring, including ports and airports. A well-designed network is crucial for assessing potential harm to human health.
The briefing examined the number and location of sampling points near ports and airports. It discovered that current monitoring is limited in both number and location, failing to fully capture their impact.
The briefing compares pollutant levels at ports and airports with surrounding areas. Nitrogen dioxide levels were consistently higher at ports and airports than in surrounding regions; in some cases (Piraeus, Napoli ports, and Milan Linate airport), they exceeded the revised 2030 EU annual limit. In half the ports, NO2 levels were more than double those in surrounding areas.
The impact on PM2.5 is complex and less directly attributable solely to port or airport emissions, with some surrounding regions also showing high levels. A significant number of ports and airports are above the revised 2030 EU annual limit.
Air pollution is Europe’s largest environmental health risk, affecting human health in numerous ways. Fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide are two key air pollutants in this context.
Monitoring air quality in and around ports, airports, and nearby cities will gain importance, aiding in assessing emissions from shipping and aviation and all related activities. Some studied ports and airports may need enhanced monitoring networks due to their potential status as air quality hotspots, while surrounding areas might require measures to curb air pollution per the revised air quality directive.
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