The study was carried out by the independent research and consulting organization CE Delft, which specializes in developing innovative solutions to environmental problems.
Analyzing air quality, population health and transport data in more than 400 cities, it was found that fossil fuel pollution in 2018 cost each citizen an average of 1,250 euros – about 4% of annual income.
Air pollution increases the likelihood of conditions known as Covid-19 risk factors, the study said.
“Our findings provide further evidence that reducing air pollution in European cities should be a top priority in any attempt to improve the well-being of Europe’s urban population,” the study said. “The current Covid-19 pandemic just highlights that.”
The study looked at more than 10 health determinants associated with air pollution in cities to quantify its “social costs” to residents.
The authors estimated that for 130 million citizens in the cities surveyed, these costs in 2018 amounted to 166 billion euros. 2018 is the last year for which complete data are available.
The biggest social cost in absolute terms has been caused by air pollution in London – 11.38 billion euros. In second place was Bucharest with 6.35 billion euros, and in third place – Berlin with 5.24 billion euros.
Most of these costs are associated with an increased risk of premature death.
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Although there are various sources of air pollution in the city, including agriculture, domestic heating and industry, there is a clear link between frequent car use and increased social costs, the study found.
“This confirms that less frequent driving and fewer private cars have a positive effect on air quality, thus reducing the social cost of poor quality urban air.”
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