According to the 2025 Air Quality Assessment report by the Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB), the city continues its trend of improving key pollutants, reaching historic lows. Measurement stations furthest from traffic are recording annual levels that would meet the European legal values for 2030, and all are below current legal limits.
The significant reduction in airborne NO2 concentration, which has also affected school exteriors, represents a 40% decrease in childhood exposure between 2018 and 2025. In 2025, 26% of primary schools will meet the European legal NO2 level for 2030, although the values recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) are not yet reached.
The report highlights that the improved air quality has reduced its negative impact on health. Deaths attributable to chronic pollution have decreased by 15% compared to the 2020-2024 period (approximately 200 avoided deaths), new cases of childhood asthma by 25% (-200 cases), and new cases of lung cancer by 22% (-30 cases).
Air pollution, primarily from motorized traffic, remains the most significant environmental risk to public health in large cities. The report recommends reducing motorized mobility, promoting public transport and active travel, as well as improving urban design to limit private vehicle use.
