A THIRD of the Spanish population are breathing air whose pollution levels are above the EU limit.
More than 16.8 million people – 36% of the population – have been exposed to dangerous levels of pollutants, with diesel engines being the main source.
Green group Ecologistas en Accion has also warned that 95% of Spaniards have been exposed to unhealthy pollution levels, taking into account the stricter recommendations made by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
‘International health authorities estimate the number of premature deaths [in Spain] to be 20,000 a year,’ due to complications arising from air pollution, said Miguel Angel Ceballos, one of the report coordinators.
