Air quality

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 2025, the mobile measuring station will be located near the town hall in the center of Triesenberg.

The data presented here are raw values that cannot always reflect the "real air hygiene situation" in the whole of Nendeln. For example, local exhaust plumes or measurement errors can influence the data.

The average PM10 pollution at the Triesenberg center location was at a slightly higher level in calendar week 20 than in the previous week. The weekly average was 11 µg/m3 in Triesenberg and 10 µg/m3 in Vaduz. The maximum daily average was measured in Triesenberg on Thursday (14 µg/m3). At the National Library in Vaduz, particulate matter pollution was highest on Wednesday (daily average: 14 µg/m3). The lowest daily average of particulate matter was recorded at 8 µg/m3 at both locations on Tuesday, and in Vaduz also on Saturday and Sunday. The short-term immission limit value of 50 µg/m3 (daily average) was not reached. Rain showers occurred repeatedly during the week (especially on Monday, Thursday and Sunday) and the weather was mixed. The average daily temperatures were between 12°C and 15°C (source: Meteostation Vaduz).

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 appendix to 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.