An in-depth multivariate analysis of PM2.5 concentration and associated premature deaths in Europe and its strategic relationship with sustainability

The strategic importance of sustainability is evident when it comes, for example, to health. Public policies aimed at mitigating the effects of harmful substances, such as fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), are justified by the direct link between fine particulate matter and the health of citizens, in this case, premature deaths. An advanced statistical and exhaustive analysis of different areas and countries shows a strong link between exposure to PM2.5, premature deaths in other countries, and significant differences in PM2.5 levels between urban and rural areas. Although PM2.5 concentration has decreased in most countries studied, this effort must be continued and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, underlining the need to implement effective air pollution control policies to reduce the health risks associated with PM2.5 exposure. To this end, identifying temporal trends and geographical patterns can guide the development of specific interventions tailored to the needs of each region. [Display omitted] •The link between PM2.5 exposure and premature deaths shows the need for better policies.•Geographic and temporal trends emphasize the importance of area-specific treatments.•A reliable linear regression shows PM2.5 strongly correlates with premature death rates.