Ten EU nations failed to reduce air pollution under agreed levels in 2014, the bloc's environment watchdog said Friday. Agriculture and road transport were the main sectors linked to the emissions of the polluting compounds, dpa quoted the European Environment Agency (EEA) as saying. It cited preliminary data for 2014, the most recent year covered in the survey, and final data for 2010 to 2013. The pollutants measured were nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, ammonia, and non-methane volatile organic compounds that comprise chemical groups such as alcohols, aldehydes, alkanes and aromatics. They are sometimes used as solvents or in paints and varnishes. Nitrogen dioxide, a harmful component of nitrogen oxide, can cause respiratory conditions and cardiovascular disease.
