The City of Marseille commissioned a study (EQIS-PA) to assess the economic and health consequences of air pollution, as well as to estimate the potential benefits of improving air quality by 2030 and 2050, in line with European Union standards.

Air pollution: a deadlier threat in Marseille than elsewhere in France

Although overall air quality is improving, more than one-third of Marseille’s residents — around 337,000 people, or 39% of the population — are still exposed to pollution levels that exceed the European thresholds set for 2030, according to Christine Juste, Marseille’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Pollution Control.
In other words, nearly four out of ten inhabitants remain vulnerable to a range of health conditions: metabolic diseases (such as type 2 diabetes), cardiovascular issues (strokes, heart attacks) and respiratory illnesses (chronic asthma, COPD).

These health impacts, revealed for the first time by Santé publique France earlier this year, highlight the scale of the problem.
Every year, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is responsible for 780 premature deaths in Marseille, representing 11% of all deaths in the city. Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), another major pollutant, causes 440 deaths, accounting for 6% of total mortality.

Overall, the share of the Marseille population dying prematurely because of air pollution (0.089%) is higher than the national average (0.058%) — a striking indicator of the city’s excess mortality linked to poor air quality.

Preventable deaths and diseases: what Marseille stands to gain from cleaner air

What health benefits could Marseille expect if it managed to meet the new European air quality thresholds for 2030 and 2050? According to the EQIS-PA Marseille study, the potential gains would be substantial.

By reaching the 2030 targets, the city could prevent nearly 230 premature deaths each year — 100 linked to PM2.5 and 130 to NO₂.
Looking ahead to 2050, a more ambitious goal, around 900 lives could be saved annually — 600 from PM2.5 exposure and 300 from NO₂.

Lowering pollution would not only save lives but also reduce chronic illnesses. The projected reductions would lead to fewer cases of respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases.
Among children, for example, up to 80 cases of asthma related to NO₂ and 60 linked to PM2.5 could be avoided by meeting the 2030 standards. These figures would rise to 530 and 380 cases prevented, respectively, if Marseille adopted the stricter guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Source: Inspirons! (Atmosud media)
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