EU sues Portugal for poor air quality caused by nitrogen dioxide

In a statement, the Commission said that Portugal has “continually and persistently” surpassed the annual nitrogen dioxide limit value in three air quality zones.

The European Commission has decided to sue Portugal for its poor air quality caused by high levels of nitrogen dioxide, it said on Friday.

More than 70% of Covid-19 cases in Portugal’s Lisbon region are from the Delta variant, which is said to be rapidly spreading to other parts of the country. (Reuters)

"Portugal has continually and persistently exceeded the annual nitrogen dioxide limit value in three air quality zones (...)", the Commission said in a statement, adding it was referring Portugal to the European Court of Justice.

"Full implementation of the air quality standards enshrined in EU legislation is key to effectively protect human health and safeguard the natural environment".