Capital city in Masovia, Poland
Air quality in Warsaw
Polluted
The annual average PM2.5 in Warsaw was 16 µg/m³ in 2020, about 3.2 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Winter smog on cold, calm days from heating and traffic; usually less severe than in Kraków.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 16 µg/m³ yearly average (2020). Measured at Warszawa.
- PM10: 26 µg/m³ (2020).
- Nitrogen dioxide: 25 µg/m³ (2020), mostly from traffic.
- Worst months: Dec–Feb.
- Recent average: 20.8 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2020 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2014 |
Air quality across Poland
Quick answers
Is the air in Warsaw bad?
Polluted: 16 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 3.2× the WHO guideline. It's usually worst in Dec–Feb.
When is the air worst in Warsaw?
Winter smog on cold, calm days from heating and traffic; usually less severe than in Kraków.
How does Warsaw compare with the rest of Poland?
People in Poland breathe 17 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 16 µg/m³ measured here.
More about Warsaw
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Warsaw public transport (ZTM)
- Warsaw Chopin Airport
- Warsaw tourism
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.