Linz air quality map

What interesting information about air quality can be seen on the air pollution map for Linz?

The air pollution map for Linz is easy to access from the main city page. The map icon appears at the top of this main page and by selecting it, a new page will open containing all the relevant information about the current air quality.

The first thing that will be noticed on the map is the background colour which is a direct reflection of the air quality. Currently, it is green which indicates “Good” air quality. The next thing of note will be the number of coloured circles dotted across the map. These represent the location of the ground-level air monitoring stations. Each displays a number at its centre which is the US AQI reading for that part of the city. This United States Air Quality Index reading is calculated by measuring the levels of up to six of the most prolific air pollutants found in the city air. These usually include Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide. Once established, it can be used as a standard when making comparisons between different cities across the world. It has the full backing of the World Health Organisation (WHO). If any disc is of special interest, it can be selected and a new page will open to reveal more specific details about that area of the city.

The colours used range from green to dark maroon and they are standard throughout the entire IQAir website.

Looking back at the main city page, it can be seen in the coloured banner at the very top of the page that Linz was experiencing a period of “Moderate” air quality with a US AQI reading of 91. All six pollutants were measured but it was PM2.5 that was the main one with a recorded level of 31 µg/m³. This figure places it over six times higher than the recommended target figure of 5 µg/m³, as suggested by the WHO.

Immediately below the air pollution map for Linz can be seen the number of stations there are that provide all the air quality data and the number of contributors who operate the stations. Currently, there are four stations provided and operated by two contributors who both happen to be government departments.

Are areas of higher pollution seen on the air pollution map for Linz?

Areas of higher pollution can be identified by looking at the discs and finding the one with the highest US AQI reading. Alternatively, just below the air pollution map for Linz can be seen a table which ranks all the stations according to their levels of pollution. Currently, the station at Linz Stadtpark, Noßbergerstraße is at the top of the list with a US AQI reading of 99 which is classified as being “Moderate”.

The next list to appear shows the stations in order of their popularity. Currently, this is the same as the dirtiest one, Linz Stadtpark, Noßbergerstraße with over 6,500 followers.

What other interesting information can be seen on the air pollution map for Linz?

In order to get the full benefit of all available information from the air pollution map for Linz, it needs to be viewed in full-screen mode. The icon to enable this can be seen at the top of the page.

Once viewed in this way, a list of four options will appear down the left-hand side of the screen. These can all be toggled on or off in order to see what effect each one has.

The first option shows the location of all the ground-level air monitoring stations in and around the city. Each one can be opened individually to get more information about a specific area of the city.

The second option shows the position of any wildfires that might be burning nearby. In November 2022, there was one fire near Steyregg just to the south east of Linz. This is when option four becomes very useful as it shows the speed and direction of the prevailing winds and could give an indication as to where the smoke will blow.

The third option is the most theatrical because it can change the colour of the map to reflect the current level of air pollution. If the viewer finds the colour overpowering, it can be deactivated and the map will then revert to a more natural set of colours.

More information can be found on the right-hand side of the page. Here is found a table which displays world cities according to their levels of air pollution. A snapshot of only seven first appears, but it can easily be expanded for those who wish to compare more cities.

Can the source of the polluted air be seen on the air quality map for Linz?

The source of air pollution cannot be seen on the air quality map for Linz, however, traffic and industry cause fine dust emissions all year round and households mainly through heating during the cold season. At the end of the year, firecrackers and fireworks also cause temporary high levels of air pollution. On New Year's Eve, particulate matter levels in many cities reach their highest levels of the entire year. In addition, according to the Federal Environment Agency, spent firecrackers and fireworks cause up to 1,000 tons of waste every year.

PM2.5 is often seen on the air pollution map for Linz, but what is it?

Dust can be thought of as solid particles in the outside air that do not sink to the ground immediately, but rather for a certain time remain suspended in the atmosphere. Dust particles are divided into different classes according to their size. As fine dust (⁠PM10⁠) refers to particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 micrometres (µm). Some of these particles have an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 µm (⁠PM2.5⁠).

Most of the anthropogenic particulate matter emissions come from combustion processes (vehicle traffic, heating) and production processes. To a lesser extent, diffuse emissions from trade and commerce, agriculture, fireworks, cigarettes and barbecues are responsible for dust emissions. Compared to the PM10 emissions from agriculture, however, PM2.5 emissions from agriculture are mainly dominated by slurry management. Particulate matter is not only emitted directly (primary particles) but also forms from precursor substances (including sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and ammonia) in the atmosphere (secondary particles).