Figure 4 . Industrial emissions in the EU (1990-2019)
However, according to the EEA, industrial pollution and greenhouse gases
are estimated to have costed society between 277 and 433 billion euros
in 2017, revealing that despite the efforts from the European Green Deal
and the Zero Pollution Action Plan, more needs to be done to reduce the
impact of industrial emissions [82]. To tackle industrial pollution,
the EU has been developing a set of policies that would support the twin
green and digital transitions to a low-carbon industry [83].
However, since these policies were published in March 2020, they were
rapidly subjected to the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, which
changed the industrial sectors worldwide.
The introduction of low-emission zones (LEZ) in urban areas has also
been associated with improvements in urban air quality and has been
defined to meet legislative limits and deliver improvements to childhood
respiratory health, including asthma symptoms. Providing and maintaining
cost-effective and easier alternatives, including expanded public
transport systems, car share, safe cycles and walkable networks, to move
through the urban environment may also reduce fuel consumption and, in
turn, air pollution through reduced exhaust emissions. It should also be
recognized a role for diet to modulate the effects of air pollution on
asthma [84]. An anti-inflammatory diet characterized by higher
consumption of fruits, vegetables, and legumes, fatty fish and whole
grains, may also decrease the exposure effect of PM2.5 and PM10 on
childhood asthma [84].