Air quality measurements by the Finnish Meteorological Institute have begun in Riihimäki

Air quality measurements have begun in the center of Riihimäki on April 30, 2026. The measurements will continue for six months. The measurements include continuous concentration measurements of respirable particles (PM10) and fine particles (PM2,5). In addition to air quality measurements, the measuring station also measures weather variables. The measurements are carried out by the Finnish Meteorological Institute and have been commissioned by the City of Riihimäki.

The measuring point is located in Kolmiopuisto, near Valtakatu. It represents the traffic environment in the center of Riihimäki for the measurements.

Street dust is a common cause of poor air quality

The measurements provide information about the air quality of the city centre and the air pollution levels people are exposed to in the area. Traffic, and especially the street dust it produces, is a common cause of poor air quality in urban areas in Finland. Street dust can be reduced by timely street maintenance. Air quality measurements also provide useful information for managing street dust.

Air quality was last measured in Riihimäki in 2016. With the new EU Air Quality Directive issued in 2024, air quality limit values ​​are also becoming stricter in Finland. The new, stricter limit values ​​will come into effect in 2030. The year 2026 will be the first year when air quality measurements must be compared with the new limit values.

The results of Riihimäki's air quality measurements can be viewed on the monitoring website (ilmanlaatu.fmi.fi). The information is updated on the website every hour. The website describes the air quality situation on a five-level scale: good, satisfactory, fair, poor and very poor.

Measuring air quality is part of protecting human health and the environment.

Check out previous air quality reports and particle measurements (riihimaki.fi)