Jacqueline McGlade, executive director of the European environment agency, heads up our cover feature on air quality. Although she says that progress has been made in the reduction of sulphur dioxide emissions in the EU, other areas have been less successful. "Almost one third of European city dwellers are still exposed to excessive concentrations of airborne particulate matter," she said. Dan Jørgensen, vice chair of parliament's environment, public health and food safety committee says, that air pollution "poses a threat to the European citizens, nature and our economy". He adds that because air pollution crosses borders it requires "strong European legislation". Meanwhile Karl Falkenber, director general of DG environment writes about 2013 being the year of air. He says that "it is the responsibility of member states to take necessary measures".