Air pollution - Why care? (Switzerland)

Air pollution has adverse effects on people, ecosystems, buildings, materials and the climate. In Switzerland, it causes respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and is responsible for premature deaths. Sensitive ecosystems are over-fertilised by nitrogen compounds, which cause acidification. Acute impacts on plant life can also be found. As a result, ozone exposure can cause harvest losses of up to 15 % in agriculture, depending on specific crop and weather conditions. In addition to these harvest losses, materials and buildings also suffer damage.

The Federal Act on the Protection of the Environment aims to protect human beings, animals and plants against harmful effects or nuisances and to maintain the fertility of the soil.