air pollutant

Sulphur dioxide is a colourless, water soluble gas with a pungent smell. It is produced from combustion of fossil fuels, for example coal and oil.

Ozone is a colourless and toxic gas, and one of the most important trace gases in the atmosphere. The natural ozone layer which occurs in the atmosphere at an altitude of between 20 and 30 km protects life on earth against harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas, which is a result of incomplete fuel combustion. An important source of carbon monoxide in ambient air is the transport sector.

Particulate matter (PM10) comprises the mass of all particles contained in TSP (total suspended particulates) with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 µm.

The Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB) serves to investigate, document and archive environmental and human exposure to pollutants in Germany at a specific point in time.

This Federal Environment Agency web page offers regularly updated information about air and other topics related to this most important elixir of life. Find out here how air quality has developed and which pollutants are harmful to health. We identify sources of pollution and point out measures to combat it.

People in developed countries spend the majority of their lives indoors, on average about two thirds in their home. However, the quality of indoor air is not always beneficial to human health.

The new low-emission zone made effective in the town of Aachen (Level 3, Baden-Württemberg) in February brings the total number of low-emission zones in Germany to 52.