Air quality in Switzerland has improved steadily since the mid-1980s. Nevertheless, the concentrations of ozone (O3) exceed the ambient limit values over a large area, of particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 at several locations and of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at individual locations close to traffic. The scale of ammonia (NH3) pollution is also far in excess of the critical limit value.
Clean air is as essential to plants, animals and humans as clean water and unpolluted soil. As a result of human activities, the air we breathe contains substances that would otherwise be present in small quantities, if at all. Every year, large quantities of gases, aerosols and dust particles are released into the atmosphere. These emissions of air pollutants and contaminants can cause significant and lasting harm to people and their environment, both near the sources of pollution and far away.
Last modification 02.04.2025
