Although air pollution in European Union (EU) countries is easing, a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) says it is still the cause of almost a half-million deaths annually.

Despite dropping slightly in 2015, air pollution levels still remain higher than both EU and World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

The report comes just weeks following findings from an EU watchdog suggesting that the majority of member states are failing to meet air quality targets, cautioning that the impact on the health of those living in eastern European countries is even worse than in India and China.

Looking at the bigger picture, the EEA also reported that early deaths linked to PM2.5 — the fine pollution particles linked to heart problems and respiratory illness — have been reduced by about a half million since 1990.

The reason for that reduction, according to the report, is due to European air quality measures and policies "which have led, for example, to cleaner cars, industry and energy production."

"Air pollution is an invisible killer and we have to intensify efforts to address its causes," said Hans Bruyninckx, the agency's executive director.