Nitrogen dioxide, produced by diesel cars, is one of the worst polluting gases in the world and can have dramatic impacts on the environment and human health.
NO2 pollution is a series issue – however a new study suggests levels of NO2 in Europe could be two times smaller than previously believed.
The average NO2 concentration at roadsides across Europe remains at least 70 micrograms per cubic metre, the study reveals.
This is significantly greater than the EU limit – so Europe still has a huge air pollution problem.
Researchers from the University of York conducted the study looking at the proportion of NO2 in European roadside emissions.
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They analysed 130 million hourly measurements of NOx, NO2 and ozone from roadside monitoring stations across 61 European cities.
The findings show NO2 levels could be up to two times less than assumed in projections used to form political policies.
Dr David Carslaw, from the University of York’s Department of Chemistry, said: “The forecasts are likely pessimistic because they overstate the current fraction of emissions that is directly released as NO2. This can have a large impact on NO2 measured roadside, which is where the air quality standards are currently breached in many towns and cities.
“NO2 coming from the tailpipe grew during the 2000s and was projected to stay high up to 2030, but actually around 2010 this trend reversed and the amount of direct NO2 coming out of vehicles is now only around half the value used in policy predictions.
“The implication is that European cities may become compliant with NO2 targets, probably ahead of schedule.”
While Anthony Frew, Professor of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine at the Royal Sussex Country Hospital, told MailOnline: “This is encouraging data; for drivers of diesel cars, this news will come as some relief from the recent demonisation of diesel.”
The European Commission slapped down Britain over air pollution breaches in February 2017, after limits were continually exceeded in 16 UK air quality zones.
London, Glasgow, Leeds and Birmingham were among the areas cited in the Commission’s put-down of the UK.
It sent a “final warning” to the UK for “failing to address repeated breaches of air pollution limits for nitrogen dioxide”.
The Commission added: “NO2 pollution is a serious health risk. Most emissions result from road traffic.”
A statement said reducing emissions from diesel-powered vehicles was “an important step towards achieving compliance with EU air quality standards”.
However the new evidence suggests diesel may not be as big of a problem as previously thought.