17/07/2026
Some encouraging news for Brussels: air quality is getting better, according to the 2025 Air Quality Report from Brussels Environment.
But not everywhere breathing is healthy yet.
The progress:
✅ Fine particles (PM₁₀ & PM₂.₅) now meet both current and future (2030) EU limitsm which is a big step forward.
✅ Ozone, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide levels are all within safe thresholds.
✅ EU air quality standards are being met across all monitoring stations.
The remaining challenges:
⚠️ Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), coming mainly from petrol and diesel vehicles, still exceeds future EU limits in some high-traffic zones, despite six consecutive years of improvement.
⚠️ Black carbon (from diesel emissions) remains too high near busy roads, missing the 2030 EU target.
⚠️ Stricter WHO health guidelines (tighter than EU rules) are still not met for PM₂.₅ and NO₂ in several locations.
"Our policies for cleaner mobility and energy are working, but we can’t stop here," says Ans Persoons (Vooruit), Brussels’ State Secretary for the Environment. "Everyone has the right to breathe clean air, especially in areas still affected by traffic pollution."
So we are definitely moving in the right direction, but more work is needed.
For more information, see the link in the comments.
(photo from the article)
