| Summary: | Health is closely related to air pollution, with increasing evidence showing the consequences of longand short-term exposure to, in particular, fine particulate matter (PM2.5). In 2008, the European Union adopted a directive (directive 2008/50/EC) to improve air quality and to regulate a number of air pollutants, including PM2.5, in the member states. This directive has recently been assessed by a socalled “fitness check”. The aim of this thesis is to analyse how air quality regarding fine particulate matter has developed in Sweden between 2000 and 2018 and to examine possible future scenarios for stricter requirements in renewed EU legislation, based on the outcomes of the “fitness check”. Data are analysed from monitoring stations throughout Sweden with a focus on the last ten years up to 2018. Average urban exposure levels are estimated to compare them with the average exposure index (AEI) defined in the directive and source sectorsfor PM2.5 are identified to determine the potential for measures to reduce concentrations. The results show that Sweden is not challenged by the current EU legislation, neither exceeding the current annual limit value of 25 µg/m3 nor requiring a reduction of the urban exposure levels. However, Sweden will need to take further initiatives if requirements are tightened up, for example if a daily ceiling of 25 µg/m3 is implemented or the annual limit decreased to 10 µg/m3 , both values based on WHO’s latest recommendations. Rural and urban concentrations show an exponentially decreasing trend from southern to northern Sweden. It is concluded that PM2.5 is dominated by long-distance transportation, but with significant local contributions in urban areas. Overall, concentrations reduced during the period studied, which is mainly due to a reduction in international emissions, occasionally combined with individual local measures. PM2.5 concentrations are, however, above natural background levels, which makes it worthwhile to decrease them further, with local action considered to be of ...
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