Paris, January 30, 2025 – A groundbreaking study by Public Health France (SPF) has quantified the severe health and economic toll of air pollution in the country, estimating the cost at over €16 billion annually.

The report, published on Wednesday, January 29, offers the first comprehensive assessment of how air pollution contributes to chronic diseases and mortality, highlighting the urgent need for improved air quality.

According to SPF, air pollution was responsible for approximately 40,000 deaths in France in 2021 alone. Beyond mortality, the study found a “significant burden” of morbidity, with tens of thousands of new cases of chronic illnesses linked to poor air quality every year.

The research, which analyzed data from 2016 to 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, focused on two primary pollutants—fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)—both of which are well-documented contributors to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

The study assessed eight chronic conditions scientifically linked to air pollution, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia, strokes, myocardial infarctions, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes.

The findings indicate that long-term exposure to polluted air significantly increases the likelihood of developing these illnesses. In children, between 12% and 20% of new cases of respiratory diseases—equating to between 7,000 and nearly 40,000 cases annually—are attributed to air pollution.

For adults, the proportion varies between 7% and 13% for respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases, amounting to between 4,000 and 78,000 new cases per year.

The report underscores that these figures translate into a considerable economic burden, including healthcare costs and lost productivity.

The economic assessment, totaling over €16 billion annually, includes direct medical expenses, loss of productivity due to illness, and broader societal costs.

The authors emphasize that these figures are likely conservative estimates, as they do not account for all possible pollution-related conditions.

Experts argue that implementing stricter pollution controls could significantly reduce these costs. The SPF report suggests that lowering air pollution to levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) could prevent thousands of cases each year, thereby alleviating both the health impact and the financial strain on the healthcare system.

Environmental organizations have called for swift action, urging policymakers to strengthen air quality regulations, invest in clean energy, and promote sustainable transport.

“This study confirms what we’ve long suspected—air pollution is not just an environmental issue but a major public health crisis,” said a spokesperson from France Nature Environnement. “Immediate action is needed to reduce emissions and protect vulnerable populations.”

The French government has acknowledged the findings, with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Ecological Transition pledging to review existing air quality policies.

While France has made progress in reducing pollution levels in recent years, the SPF study underscores that current measures remain insufficient to mitigate the health and economic risks.

With mounting evidence of air pollution’s widespread impact, public health experts stress the need for coordinated efforts between government, industry, and civil society to tackle the issue.

As cities across France grapple with worsening air quality, the SPF report serves as a stark reminder of the hidden costs of pollution and the pressing need for comprehensive intervention.