Air quality
Air quality in Liechtenstein is monitored jointly with the cantons of Eastern Switzerland as part of Ostluft. In addition, the Office for the Environment carries out supplementary measurements. The air pollutants particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, ozone, organic compounds and ammonia are measured.
Current measured values for eastern air
Air quality monitoring in Liechtenstein has been carried out jointly with the cantons of Eastern Switzerland since the beginning of 2001 as part of the Ostluft program. The current measurement data and information on the immission measurements can be found on the joint Ostluft homepage.
The Office for the Environment uses a mobile measuring station to measure air quality (with a focus on particulate matter) at various locations, particularly those with high levels of traffic. These measurements are carried out in addition to those at the fixed eastern air monitoring station in Vaduz. In 2026, the mobile measuring station will be located at the roundabout Eintracht in Eschen.
The data presented here are raw values that may not always reflect the actual air quality situation throughout Eschen. Local exhaust fumes or measurement errors can influence the data.
The average particulate matter concentration in Eschen was slightly higher in calendar week 24 compared to the previous week. The weekly average in Eschen, at Essanestrasse, was 14 µg/m3. This was twice as high as the concentration in Vaduz, near the National Library, which was 7 µg/m3 (weekly average). On Monday, the highest levels of the week were recorded in Eschen, as well as at the Vaduz monitoring site. The daily average concentrations were 33 µg/m³ in Eschen and 12 µg/m³ in Vaduz. The lowest fine particulate matter concentrations in both Eschen and Vaduz were recorded on Thursday (daily average: 6 µg/m³ and 4 µg/m³, respectively). Concentrations remained well below the daily average limit of 50 µg/m³ at both locations. The brief spikes on Monday afternoon and evening are likely attributable to local factors. Average daily temperatures ranged from 13°C in the middle of the week to early-summer-like 23°C over the weekend (Source: Vaduz Weather Station).
Air pollution maps are generated from measurement data and model calculations in order to depict the exposure of the population and the environment to air pollutants throughout Switzerland. These maps also include the values from the Vaduz station.
Ostluft, of which Liechtenstein has been a member since 2001, has commissioned a study on the topic of "Air pollution-related health costs". The general final report is available on the Ostluft website. A specific report for the Principality of Liechtenstein has also been prepared.
Nitrogen oxides are among the main air pollutants. They include nitrogen monoxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The main sources are motorized road traffic (combustion processes, at high temperatures) and furnaces.
Nitrogen dioxide is measured at 15 locations using passive samplers. The measurement locations and the corresponding measurement data can be viewed in the Ostluft-Annual Report.
Ozone (O3) occurs naturally in minute quantities in the air we breathe. At ground level - in the air we breathe - too much ozone is harmful. Higher up - in the stratosphere - it protects us from the sun's dangerous ultraviolet radiation.
Ground-level ozone is the most important component of summer smog.
Ozone is measured at the Vaduz National Library measuring station, among others. The measured values can be viewed on the Ostluft pollution map.
Ammonia (NH3) is a nitrogenous air pollutant that contributes significantly to the over-fertilization of sensitive ecosystems. The main source of ammonia is agricultural livestock farming. Ammonia emissions have been measured at various locations in Liechtenstein since 2008.
In 2019, Liechtenstein also took part in a total nitrogen deposition measurement with a measuring point in Ruggeller Riet. The results were published by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment FOEN.
A detailed study took a closer look at the nitrogen deposition situation in Liechtenstein.
The EU has introduced an annual average limit value of 5 µg/m3 for benzene in outdoor air. Due to the carcinogenic properties of benzene, it should be noted that compliance with this limit value should not be interpreted to mean that there is no longer a health risk. To monitor the concentration of benzene and other organic pollutants (toluene, ethylene benzene and xylenes), immission measurements are carried out at seven locations using passive samplers.
Lichens are sensitive organisms consisting of fungi and algae that react extremely sensitively to changes in environmental conditions. Air quality in particular is a decisive factor for the survival of lichens. After 1989 and 1999, lichen mapping was carried out in Liechtenstein for the third time in 2009.