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Health problems caused by air pollution (PM2.5)

Air pollutants can cause or contribute to thedevelopment of respiratory illnesses (e.g. asthma), contribute to cardiovascular diseases and increase the risk of heart attacks. Chronic exposure increases the risk of death and reduces life expectancy, even at low concentrations. Air pollution is particularly harmful to the elderly, the sick, children and foetuses. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is used as an indicator of human health because it can penetrate directly into the human body, with clear health effects following both short- and long-term exposure.

The indicator shows the annual number of premature deaths attributable to exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in Switzerland.

Assessment of the state
poor poor
Assessment of the trend
positive positive
Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2024: 1418 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2023: 1836 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2022: 2778 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2021: 2178 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2020: 2183 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2019: 2671 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2018: 3548 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2017: 2916 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2016: 2681 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2015: 3340 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2014: 3008 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2013: 4466 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2012: 4092 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2011: 5023 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2010: 4899 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2009: 5124 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2008: 4765 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2007: 5068 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2006: 6362 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2005: 5784 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2004: 5490 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2003: 7410 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2002: 5969 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2001: 5330 Premature deaths attributable to particulate matter PM2.5 2000: 5681
Data for the graph: Excel | Source: SwissTPH (2025)

Comment

Although the death toll from PM2.5 pollution has fallen, there are still around 2,000 premature deaths each year. Given that this figure remains high, the status is assessed as poor.

Calculations based on the same methodological principles estimate the burden of disease caused by particulate matter for 2019 at around 3,500 new cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 5,600 new cases of dementia, 1,000 new cases of type 2 diabetes and 2,600 new cases of ischaemic heart disease, as well as 400 new cases of lung cancer. Furthermore, this results in approximately 2.5 million days of reduced activity among adults (Castro et al. 2023, available in german).

Progressively stricter air pollution control measures, particularly emission limits for transport, industry and heating systems, have significantly reduced particulate matter pollution in Switzerland. This reduction in particulate matter pollution is reflected in a decline in premature deaths caused by air pollution. This trend is therefore assessed as positive.

International comparison

Like other European countries, Switzerland has recorded a decline in PM2.5-related deaths in recent years (see Premature deaths due to exposure to fine particulate matter in Europe).

Method

The health impact assessment is based on a population-weighted PM2.5 exposure and an epidemiologically derived exposure-response relationship of 1.118 per 10 µg/m³ PM2.5 for disease-related mortality, as reported in an ELAPSE study conducted by Brunekreef and al. 2022). A threshold of 5 µg/m³ was applied in accordance with WHO air quality guidelines).

Basis for assessment of the trend

Targeted trend Initial value Final value Variation in % Observed trend Assessment
Decrease Average 2000-2002 Average 2022-2024 -64.48% Decrease positive
 
Last updated on: 01.09.2026