Air Pollution

The table below shows the value factors per emitted metric tonne for the air pollutants particulate matter (PM_2.5, PM_coarse and PM₁₀), ammonia (NH₃), nitrogen oxide (NO_x), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂). The value factors relate to average impacts on health, crops and buildings. They do not specify the release height or location of the emission source.

Air pollutants do not only affect human health but also impact crops and buildings.

The highest damages are caused by the emission of particulate matter.

Source: Umweltbundesamt

Downloads:

• Excel table for download (236.13 kB)

Air pollutants also affect ecosystems and biodiversity. However, due to the difficulties in assessing biodiversity impacts, the current value factors do not incorporate these effects. Hence, they should be interpreted as rather conservative estimates of the actual impacts of air pollution.

Further value factors and more detailed information can be found in Chapter 3 of the Handbook on Environmental Value Factors – Methodological Convention 4.0 for the Assessment of Environmental Impacts.

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