Air quality monitoring

Continuous air quality monitoring

The City of Hämeenlinna has monitored air quality with continuous measurement devices since 1993. The location of the monitoring station has been changed four times. This has provided information on both so-called background concentrations and the air quality in the city centre area. The monitoring station has been located at its current site on Niittykatu since 2011.

Air quality monitoring is implemented as joint monitoring, in which the City of Hämeenlinna participates alongside operators in the Hämeenlinna area who have an obligation to participate in joint monitoring through an environmental permit or registration.

The monitoring station continuously measures concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), inhalable particles (PM₁₀), and fine particles (PM_2.5).

The air quality in Hämeenlinna can be monitored through the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s air quality portal, where measurement results are updated hourly; see www.ilmanlaatu.fi

Air quality is reported as an air quality index. The Hämeenlinna air quality index takes into account

• nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
• inhalable dust (PM₁₀)
• fine particles (PM_2.5)

The classification of the air quality index describes the effects of air quality on human health and the harm caused to the environment. There are five categories:

• good
• satisfactory
• fair
• poor
• very poor

Monitor CO2 emissions in Hämeenlinna

The greenhouse gas emissions of the City of Hämeenlinna are monitored annually. Read more about the climate programme.

Monitor the pollen situation

The current pollen situation and forecast can be checked on the Norkko website maintained by the University of Turku.

Bioindicator studies

In addition to direct measurements, air quality can be monitored by observing the effects of air pollutants in nature. An organism, a community of organisms, or a part thereof, used to study the state of the environment, is called a bioindicator.

Bioindicator studies have been conducted in Kanta-Hämeenlinna in 1986, 1991, and 2001–2002. In 2014 and 2025, the City of Hämeenlinna and the Municipality of Hattula participated in a joint bioindicator study for Kanta-Häme and Päijät-Häme, coordinated by the Häme ELY Centre.

• Kanta-Häme and Päijät-Häme bioindicator study 2025
• Kanta-Häme and Päijät-Häme air quality bioindicator study in 2014

Contact information