Asthma-causing pollutant must be reduced by a fifth

ONE of the most dangerous pollutants in the air, which contributes to asthma and other respiratory problems, must be reduced by a fifth by 2020, under legislation agreed by the European Union.

The fine particulate known as PM2.5 comes mainly from transport vehicles and, being very fine, penetrates deep into the lungs.

It reduces the average life expectancy of every EU citizens by nine months and costs up to €790 billion a year in healthcare costs in the union.