Geneva's Air Pollution: A Troubling Concern

Geneva's parliament has voted to ban the most polluting vehicles from the city centre when air pollution reaches certain levels. This plan could be modelled on the French system, which categorises vehicles based on type, fuel, and Euro rating. Geneva's air quality index includes measurements of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter), PM10 (respirable particulate matter), NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), SO2 (sulfur dioxide), CO (carbon monoxide), O3 (ozone), and other factors. While Switzerland's air quality has improved since the 1980s, there are still concerns about high levels of ozone, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide, especially in winter and during windless summer periods, which can negatively impact human health and the environment.

The First WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health took place in Geneva in 2018

The First WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health took place at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, from 30 October to 1 November 2018. The conference was a response to the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA68.8) in 2015, where ministers of health requested a significant increase in the response from the health sector and other industries to prevent air pollution diseases, exposure, and their societal costs.

The conference was organised in collaboration with several organisations, including UN Environment, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC). It saw the participation of national and city governments, intergovernmental organisations, civil society, philanthropy, research, and academia.

The conference highlighted the urgent need to scale up the global response to prevent diseases and deaths caused by air pollution, which is estimated at 7 million per year. It emphasised the particular risk to children, with more than half of pneumonia deaths in children under five attributed to air pollution, and the increased risk of chronic diseases from early exposure. Older individuals and those with pre-existing cardiorespiratory conditions and diabetes are also at higher risk.

Additionally, the conference outcomes stressed the interconnectedness of climate change and air pollution, noting that reducing short-lived climate pollutants like methane, tropospheric ozone, and black carbon is essential for both protecting the climate and promoting clean air.

Geneva's air pollution levels are above the maximum limit established by the WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken an active role in addressing air pollution in Geneva and worldwide. In 2015, the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA68.8) passed a resolution calling for a heightened response from health and other sectors to prevent air pollution diseases, exposure, and associated societal costs. This led to the First WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, held at WHO headquarters in Geneva in 2018. The conference, organized in collaboration with various organizations, aimed to review progress and decide on further action to combat air pollution.

The Geneva Action Agenda, resulting from the conference, emphasizes the urgent need to scale up the global response to prevent diseases and deaths caused by air pollution. It highlights the health risks of air pollution, especially to children and workers, and the economic benefits of successful air pollution reduction. According to the agenda, air pollution causes approximately 7 million deaths annually, with 5.6 million from non-communicable diseases and 1.5 million from pneumonia.

To address the issue, the Geneva Action Agenda proposes effective interventions that are compatible with economic growth. It emphasizes the importance of reducing exposure to air pollution, especially for vulnerable populations, and highlights the combined benefits of tackling air pollution and mitigating climate change. By reducing short-lived climate pollutants like methane, tropospheric ozone, and black carbon, both the climate and air quality can be improved.

Geneva's air pollution levels exceeding the WHO limit underscore the importance of implementing these interventions and taking decisive action to protect public health and the environment. Real-time air quality maps and indices play a crucial role in monitoring pollution levels and enabling citizens to make informed decisions about their health.

Geneva's air quality index is 37, with a PM2.5 concentration of 27

Geneva's air quality index is 37, which is considered good air quality. An air quality index (AQI) of 50 or below indicates good air quality, while an AQI over 300 is considered hazardous. Each category of the AQI corresponds to a different level of health concern and is colour-coded to allow people to quickly determine whether the air quality is reaching unhealthy levels.

Geneva's PM2.5 concentration level is 27. PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter that has a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers and remains suspended in the air for longer durations. The health risk associated with PM2.5 is that it can travel deep into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs and entering the bloodstream. Most studies indicate that PM2.5 levels at or below 12 μg/m3 are considered healthy, with little to no risk from exposure. If the level rises to or above 35 μg/m3 during a 24-hour period, the air is considered unhealthy and can cause issues for people with existing breathing problems such as asthma. Prolonged exposure to levels above 50 μg/m3 can lead to serious health issues and even premature mortality.

It is important to note that the AQI and PM2.5 levels are interconnected, and both provide valuable information about the air quality in Geneva. The AQI value gives an overall indication of the air quality, taking into account various pollutants, while the PM2.5 concentration specifically measures the density of fine particulate matter in the air. By considering both metrics, individuals can better understand the potential health risks associated with the air quality in Geneva.

Overall, Geneva's air quality index of 37 and PM2.5 concentration of 27 suggest that the air quality in the city is generally good. However, it is essential to stay informed about real-time air quality data and be aware of any fluctuations that may impact the health and well-being of its residents.

Air pollution causes 7 million deaths per year, according to the WHO

In 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that around 7 million people died as a result of air pollution exposure. This figure represents approximately one in eight of the total global deaths that year. Air pollution is now considered the world's largest single environmental health risk.

The sources of air pollution are multiple and context-specific. Outdoor pollution comes from residential energy use for cooking and heating, vehicles, power generation, agriculture and waste incineration, and industry. Meanwhile, indoor pollution comes from household combustion devices, such as cooking over coal, wood, and biomass stoves, as well as motor vehicles, industrial facilities, and forest fires.

The health effects of air pollution are significant. Fine particulate matter in the air results in strokes, heart diseases, lung cancer, and acute and chronic respiratory diseases. In 2021, long-term exposure to ozone was linked to an estimated 489,518 deaths globally, including 14,000 ozone-related COPD deaths in the United States. Additionally, children are especially vulnerable to air pollution. Exposure to polluted air is linked to pneumonia, which is responsible for 1 in 5 child deaths globally, and asthma, the most common chronic respiratory disease in older children.

To address this issue, the WHO has developed a roadmap for preventing diseases related to air pollution. This includes initiatives to support sustainable land use, cleaner household energy and transport, energy-efficient housing, and better municipal waste management. The organization also provides technical support to its member states and works to raise awareness about the risks of air pollution and available solutions.

Geneva's air pollution data includes PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, and O3 levels

Geneva's air quality index was 37 as of May 4, 2025, indicating moderately polluted air. The air quality data for Geneva includes measurements of PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, and O3 levels, which are used to calculate the overall air quality index.

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter, which are tiny particles in the air that are 2.5 micrometres or smaller in diameter. These particles can include dust, dirt, soot, and liquid droplets, and they can be emitted from various sources, such as car emissions, fires, and industrial processes. As of May 4, 2025, Geneva's PM2.5 AQI was 27.

PM10, or respirable particulate matter, refers to particles in the air that are 10 micrometres or smaller in diameter. These particles are also known as inhalable particles and can include dust, pollen, and mould spores. Geneva's PM10 AQI was not available as of May 4, 2025.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gas that is produced primarily by car emissions and industrial processes. It can irritate the respiratory system and contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which is harmful to human health. Geneva's NO2 AQI was not available as of May 4, 2025.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is another gas pollutant that is released into the atmosphere primarily during the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and diesel. Short-term exposure to high levels of SO2 can harm the respiratory system, especially for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Geneva's SO2 AQI was also not available on the date of measurement.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, and toxic gas that is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, wood, and other organic materials. It can be harmful to human health even at low concentrations. The AQI for CO in Geneva was not available.

Ozone (O3) is a gas that can be both beneficial and harmful to human health, depending on where it is found in the atmosphere. Ground-level ozone, or tropospheric ozone, is harmful to human health and is formed by the reaction of sunlight on precursor pollutants, such as NOx and VOCs. Geneva's O3 AQI was measured at 37 on May 4, 2025.

Frequently asked questions