Air pollution caused more than 100 billion euros ($134.95 billion) in health and environmental damage, highlighting the need for more renewables sources of energy said a report published on Thursday by the European Environment Agency found. According to recent studies, 10,000 of Europe's largest factories and energy facilities have led to health issues such as respiratory and cardiovascular problems, and environmental costs because of high amounts of air pollution, recorded as of 2009. The health issues have said to account for ‘billions of euros'. Per citizen, the cost varied between 200-300 Euros in medical expenses. “This analysis shows the significant impact of fossil-fueled power stations and the very high costs they impose on people's health and the environment, making the case for introducing cleaner types of energy even more urgent,” European Environment Agency Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade said in a statement. Power generation was the leading contributor to damage costs with approximately 66-112 billion Euros. This estimate is to include all of the European Union's 27 member states (EU) as well Norway and Switzerland. About 6 percent, or 622 facilities, represent about 75 percent of the total damage costs from air pollutants like heavy metals, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide. The EU plans to review it's air quality standards in legislation of 2013 in hopes to reduce carbon emissions that are also affecting health hazards and other costs. The leading contributing countries include: Germany, France, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom. Other countries responsible for significant levels of damange include Bulgaira, Czech Republic, Estonia, and Romania. Two British power stations, Drax and Longannet, were ranked five and 19 respectively out of the top 20 in terms of generating the highest pollution damage costs. Germany which houses half of Europe's top industrial installations and generates the highest levels of damage to health and the environment, had eight facilities — including those owned by Vattenfall and RWE in the list of the top 20, the report said. The data was collected from the European pollution register and covered large power plants, refineries, manufacturing combustion and industrial processes. BM
