Topics | Umweltbundesamt

Heavy metals in ambient air rarely occur elementary but most of the time bound to particulate matter. By inhalation health risks arise because some pollutants like arsenic, cadmium and nickel are classified to be cancerogenic.The European directive 2004/107/EC regulates the measurement and assessment of arsenic, cadmium and nickel in particulate matter (PM10). Lead in particulate matter... read more

Smoke from house chimneys can lead to unpleasant odours in the neighbourhood and be harmful to health. read more

Experts at the monitoring stations of the German states and the German Environment Agency take multiple daily measurements to determine the air quality in Germany. Shortly after measurements are taken, you can go to our “Current air data” webpage to look up measured values, some forecast data, and data on past years. read more

The table shows the up-to-date number of days of PM10 exceedances in the current year at the measuring stations of the German States and UBA. PM10 (PM = Particulate Matter) is the term used for matter with a maximum diameter of 10 micrometres (µm). read more

Exceptional exposure situations deserve special consideration. They occur when usual or expected environmental conditions are not met. Human health is particularly at risk in these often extreme stressful situations, therefore environmental hygiene and environmental medicine take up a position on such topics. read more

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. read more

Nitrogen dioxide and particulates in particular still had an impact on air quality and on human health in Germany in 2013. read more

Air pollution caused by nitrogen dioxide and particulates continued to be too high in Germany in 2012. read more