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.

Current immission measurement data for eastern air

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.

    Blick Richtung Westen zum Kreisel

    Eschen

    Eintrachtkreisel

    Blick Kreisel Richtung Osten

    Eschen

    Eintrachtkreisel

    Eschen

    Eintrachtkreisel

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.

In calendar week 27 as well, due to a technical malfunction of the air conditioning system and the resulting measurement interruptions (Monday; Friday through Sunday), no daily average could be calculated for those days and, consequently, no weekly average could be determined, as insufficient measurement data was available. The highest available daily average was recorded on Thursday at 10 µg/m³. The highest value of the week (14 µg/m³) was recorded on Tuesday at the Vaduz State Library monitoring station. The daily average limit value of 50 µg/m³ was significantly below the threshold in Vaduz, and likewise in Eschen on the days when an average value could be calculated. There was no precipitation on Monday or over the weekend; the heaviest rain fell on Wednesday. Temperatures ranged between 18 and 25°C; a heat thunderstorm characterized Wednesday, which explains the significant drop in temperature to 18°C (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.

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.

Contact persons

Search

Filter options

  • Content type
global_search.filter.go_to_searchresults

No results were found for your search query .

Below you will find similar or related content that may be of interest to you. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please use the navigation bar.

    0 Results
    Applications
      Forms
        Documents