The Guardian launched its new Europe website last week with an exclusive investigation into the dangerous levels of air pollution being measured across the continent. The research found that 98% of Europeans live in areas with highly damaging fine particulate pollution that exceed World Health Organization guidelines, and for almost two-thirds the pollution levels are more than double the safe recommended levels.
The hazy blur of this week’s Guardian Weekly cover draws a visual link to the tiny airborne particles mostly produced by burning fossil fuels, some of which can pass through the lungs and into the bloodstream and affect almost every organ. Experts say PM2.5 pollution causes about 400,000 deaths a year across Europe.
