Our work focuses on protecting human health against adverse influences from the environment. We perform research and award research contracts so that we can gain knowledge about the origin and extent of health-relevant environmental pollution. An interdisciplinary approach is particularly important in this process. The various fields of hygiene, medicine, natural and social sciences and epidemiology all work together, analysing the extent of the body's exposure to pollutants and combine this knowledge with data on the contamination of water, soil and air. The results are translated into practice nationwide and are continuously incorporated into standardisation and regulation at national and international level.
Germany's federal agencies responsible for human and environmental safety present research needs from a regulatory perspective.
Factoring in the environmental costs of fossil fuels—such as through CO₂ pricing—drives up the cost of petrol, oil and gas. A new study commissioned by the German Environment Agency (UBA) explores how climate and environmental protection policy can be both ambitious and socially fair. Fair burden-sharing is a key pillar of socially just environmental policy.
Climate change can have not only devastating physical consequences for people and the environment, but can also have a significant impact on the human psyche. For example, extreme weather events can trigger post-traumatic stress disorders, while concern over our livelihoods can lead to anxiety about the future and depression.
To mark National Heat Action Day, the German Environment Agency (UBA) has published a study on heat-related mortality in Germany. For over four years, researchers from the UBA and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) have worked to refine the calculation of heat-related deaths in Germany. It was found that around 3,000 heat-related deaths in Germany occurred in both summer 2023 and 2024.
The majority of people in Germany continue to perceive both the environmental protection and climate change mitigation efforts as important. However, the topic continues to decline in relative perceived significance for the public
Heavy metals, plasticisers or the “forever chemicals” PFAS – there are many environmental pollutants that children and young people come into contact with. But how high is their exposure in reality? And what impact can it have on the health of young people?
On World Environment Day, the German Environment Ministry (BMUV), together with the German Environment Agency (UBA), the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), provided comprehensive information on the health risks and protective measures related to the climate crisis at the Environment Week event.
The Hesse State Agency for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology (HLNUG) investigated the emission of ultrafine particles (UFP) and the effectiveness of electrostatic precipitators to reduce fine dust emissions from a wood-burning stove.
At its meeting on 22 March, the Human Biomonitoring (HBM) Commission at the German Environment Agency (UBA) derived a health-based assessment value (HBM value) for mono-n-hexyl phthalate (MnHexP) in urine.
Construction products for interior work can be a significant source of pollutants in indoor air. In order to better protect human health, UBA has been working with a group of experts since 2011 to develop common assessment standards across Europe. The first complete list of substances and associated evaluations (EU LCI values) was published in November 2023.
The AOK medical insurance association, under the leadership of AOK Baden-Württemberg, together with the IWW Rhine-Westphalian Institute for Water Research and with the support of the German Environment Agency, launched a pilot study on ecological sustainability in antibiotic supply.
It has been known for a long time that constant noise can lead to cardiovascular diseases. A new study done on behalf of the German Environment Agency shows that incessant traffic noise can also increase the risk of depression. A 10-decibel increase in road, railroad and aircraft noise can raise that risk by up to four, five and eleven percent.
