Benchmarks & Health Protection Limits
Air quality in Reykjavík is generally good, but nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) are the most likely to exceed health protection limits. Other air pollutants measured in the city, such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and benzene (C6H6), usually measure well below benchmark levels in Reykjavík.
Regulatory framework
The goal of the air quality regulation is to prevent or reduce the harmful effects of air pollution on human health and the environment, to assess air quality in a standardized way, to gather information on air quality, and maintain or improve it. Furthermore, the aim is to reduce air pollution.
Reference limits are the permissible maximum levels of pollution and are categorized into several types according to the circumstances they pertain to. The main reference limits are health protection limits, and there are also vegetation protection limits set in regulations for certain substances.
Below is a table of health protection limits for air pollutants according to the following regulations:
- Regulation No. 920/2016 on Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide And Nitrogen Oxides, Benzene, Carbon Dioxide, Particulates and Lead in the atmosphere, surface level ozone concentration and information to the public
- Regulation No. 514/2010 on the Concentration of Hydrogen Sulfide in the Atmosphere
More information on responses to pollution due to volcanic eruptions
Health protection limits for air pollutants
|
Average time |
Reference limits |
|
Hydrogen sulfide* |
|
|
Maximum daily running 24-hour average |
50 µg/m³, must never exceed the limits |
|
Calendar year |
5 µg/m³ |
|
Sulfur dioxide |
|
|
One hour |
350 µg/m³, which must not be exceeded more than 24 times per calendar year |
|
One day |
350 µg/m³, which must not be exceeded more than 3 times per calendar year |
|
Nitrogen dioxide |
|
|
One hour |
350 µg/m³, which must not be exceeded more than 18 times per calendar year |
|
One day |
350 µg/m³, which must not be exceeded more than 7 times per calendar year |
|
Calendar year |
40 µg/m³ |
|
PM10 |
|
|
One day |
350 µg/m³, which must not be exceeded more than 35 times per calendar year |
|
Calendar year |
40 µg/m³ |
|
PM2.5 |
|
|
Calendar year |
20 µg/m³ |
*It must be reported when hydrogen sulfide levels continuously exceed 50 µg/m³ for three hours.
