Commission wants to lower limit values for six air pollutants
Published: Thursday, Nov 23rd 2023, 11:50
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Based on scientific findings and the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Federal Commission for Air Hygiene recommends lower limit values for six air pollutants. In the meantime, health damage has also been proven for concentrations below the limit values.
The current immission limit values largely correspond to the WHO guideline values from 2005 and the state of knowledge at that time, as the Federal Commission for Air Hygiene (FCAH) announced on Thursday. The FCAH last reviewed the limit values in 2013.
It is proposing a reduction in limit values for two types of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). The limit values are regulated in the Ordinance on Air Pollution Control.
National and international research over the last 20 years has already identified health damage at concentrations of the air pollutants in question that are well below the limit values, the Commission justifies its recommendation. The WHO therefore lowered the guideline values in 2021.
The reduction in Switzerland is intended to ensure that the limit values comply with the Environmental Protection Act. This law prescribes immission limit values and air pollution control measures that do justice to the protection of the environment and the health of the entire population - including groups of people with increased sensitivity.
For the time being, the FKL has decided not to issue a recommendation for air pollutants that have not yet been regulated. However, it supports the WHO guidelines for soot and ultrafine particles. These emissions should be avoided as far as possible.
The EKL is an extra-parliamentary expert committee of the federal government. It advises the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) and the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) on scientific issues and the effects of air pollution. It draws up the relevant reports, recommendations, statements and proposals.
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