UBA updates air-quality index and refreshes Luftqualität iPhone app

Germany’s Umweltbundesamt (UBA) has updated its national air‑quality index and published a redesigned version of its Luftqualität iPhone app. The new index shifts its emphasis to better reflect health risks, drawing on recent epidemiological research, the World Health Organization’s guideline values and current EU air‑quality standards.

The updated app will present air pollution levels with clearer health‑oriented guidance so users can better understand potential impacts on vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and people with respiratory conditions. The change aims to make the index more actionable for everyday decisions like outdoor activity, ventilation and protecting sensitive individuals.

What’s changed

• Health‑focused ratings: index thresholds and labels are aligned more closely with health risk evidence.
• Scientific basis: updates are informed by the latest epidemiology plus WHO and EU guidance.
• App refresh: the Luftqualität iPhone app now reflects the revised index and offers clearer advice for users.

Why this matters

Air‑quality indices are only useful if they help people make safer choices. By orienting the index toward health effects, the UBA hopes to provide more practical warnings and recommendations — for example, when to ventilate a room, avoid outdoor exercise or take extra care for at‑risk family members.

If you want to read the source guidance, see the WHO air quality guidelines (opens in a new tab): WHO: Air pollution, and the EU’s air quality standards (opens in a new tab): EU: Air quality. For the UBA app and further details, visit the Umweltbundesamt (opens in a new tab): umweltbundesamt.de.

Discussion: Will a more health‑focused index change how you ventilate your home or plan outdoor activities? Share your experiences with local air alerts and the app.