Giving Compass' Take:

• Georgia Mills explains that as air pollution continues to be a problem in Europe, and more individuals need to take action to improve air quality in order to also improve their health.

• What are the changes you can make in your daily life that address this issue? What other countries are struggling with this problem?

• Learn about India's solutions to addressing poor air quality.

Technology alone is not enough to reduce air pollution in Europe, we all have to change our habits and behavior if we are to improve air quality and reduce health problems, say scientists who are looking at how to encourage people to act.

Many people still think that big industry is the most polluting sector in Europe and they tend to disregard other sectors, such as agri-food and households, which are more linked to personal behaviours, thus delegating the responsibility to big polluters.

Most people know that poor quality air is bad for their health. Particles emitted in vehicle exhausts and in power production and heating are major contributors to the noxious load in what we breathe. But researchers say that many people do not pay attention to other important causes of air pollution – and to what they as citizens can do to improve the situation and their long-term health.

A major contributor that is often overlooked by the public is the ammonia produced by factory farms, said Dr. Michela Maione, associate professor of environmental chemistry at the University of Urbino Carlo Bo, in Italy.

‘This is not really a problem with small-scale, sustainable agricultural practices, but (with) large-scale agri-food production of meat and dairy products,’ said Dr Maione, who was scientific coordinator of the EU-funded SEFIRA project, which looked at the socioeconomic implications of individual responses to air pollution policies in the European Union.

Read the full article on reducing air pollution by Georgia Mills at The Naked Scientists.