Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is mainly produced during the combustion of fossil fuels such as petrol, diesel, gas and oil. It is one of the precursors of ozone and particulate matter that can affect human health in the longer term.
Objectives of measurements
- To monitor the nitrogen dioxide concentration over the course of the year and its spatial variation between different site types;
- to contribute to quantifying the total nitrogen input;
- to assess the effectiveness of measures taken to reduce nitrogen dioxide concentrations in industry, combustion plants and motorised transport.
The NO2 concentration in the air is measured with Palmes-type passive samplers on behalf of OSTLUFT (air quality monitoring programme for eastern Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein).
Two NO2 passive samplers are mounted in an aluminium shelter on the mast of the meteorological measuring station, 2 m above the ground. The passive collectors are replaced every four weeks and chemically analysed in the laboratory of the Research Centre for Environmental Observation (FUB).
