Description
Background
Switzerland's Environmental Protection Act calls for measures on ambient limit values and air pollution that appropriately protect the environment and the health of the entire population, including particularly sensitive groups. Since the new air quality guideline by WHO in 2021 the current standards do not adequately reflect the current knowledge on adverse health effects.
Methods
Reflecting the WHO recommendations, the statutory mandate, and current levels of air pollution, the Federal Commission for Air Hygiene (FCAH) has assessed the situation. Additionally, a health risk assessment has estimated the health gains for Switzerland when reaching the WHO air quality guideline levels in Switzerland.
Results
The FCAH recommends amending the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (OAPC) for six pollutants (SO2, NO2, CO, O3, PM10, PM2.5) to align the ambient air quality standards with the WHO's revised levels. Ultrafine particles, elemental carbon, dust storms as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals in particulate matter are addressed as well. The health risk assessment revealed that an additional 2'200 premature deaths can be avoided compared to the current standards.
Discussion
National and international research over the past 20 years has shown that air pollutants have adverse health effects even at significantly lower concentrations. Therefore, more ambitious air quality standards are proposed promising additional health gains for the Swiss population.
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