Air quality in Iceland: where to check and what to do

Short answer. Check loftgaedi.is, the national air quality site run by Umhverfis- og orkustofnun, which shows measuring stations around the country ¹. Iceland's specific risk is sulphur dioxide (SO2) from volcanic eruptions: during an eruption the Icelandic Met Office forecasts where gas pollution may reach inhabited areas ², and an official table says what to do at each SO2 level, from "very good" to "dangerous" ¹.

Where can I check air quality right now?

On loftgaedi.is, which lists stations from Reykjavík, Kópavogur and Hafnarfjörður to Akureyri, Keflavík, Selfoss and Reyðarfjörður, including SO2 and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) sensors on the Reykjanes peninsula ¹. The site also offers an air quality forecast ¹.

During an eruption, the Icelandic Met Office (Veðurstofa Íslands) publishes a text forecast and maps of where SO2 pollution may reach inhabited areas over the next 48 hours ². It advises people in those areas to follow the air quality readings closely and the environment agency's advice if pollution occurs ².

The European Air Quality Index also covers Iceland, with hourly station data and 48-hour forecasts ³.

What do the index levels mean?

loftgaedi.is labels readings in plain language, from "little or no air pollution, probably no health effects" to "considerable air pollution" ¹. At that top level, sensitive people and people with asthma or heart or lung disease may feel symptoms ¹. The current colour for each station is shown on the site ¹.

For volcanic SO2, the official table is precise. It assumes 10-15 minutes spent in the pollution; longer stays mean stronger effects ¹:

"Sensitive" here means all children and adults with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema or heart and vascular disease; the advice also applies to pregnant women ¹.

How polluted is the air on average?

The population-weighted median of Icelandic cities shows about 5 µg/m³ of PM2.5 (annual mean 2021-2023) ⁴, at the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³ ⁶. Nitrogen dioxide is about 0.7 µg/m³ ⁵, well below the WHO guideline of 10 µg/m³ ⁶. That NO2 figure is a regional background over roughly 80 km: a busy street will be higher.

What should I do on a bad air day, or with volcanic gas?

Avoid effort outdoors when pollution is above health limits, and follow the official SO2 table ¹.

• Volcanic SO2: follow the table above. Breathe calmly through your nose and avoid effort outdoors when pollution is above health limits; sensitive groups should ask their health centre for further advice ¹.
• Cleaning indoor air: the agency suggests dissolving a level teaspoon (5 g) of baking soda in 1 litre of water, soaking a cloth, wringing it out, hanging it in the room and letting a fan blow on it; keep it damp ¹.
• If you must go out above 2,600 µg/m³: a wet cloth, better still one soaked in the baking-soda solution, over nose and mouth helps for short trips of 10-15 minutes only ¹.
• Near the eruption site: gas can always exceed danger limits; if you notice symptoms, get away from the area ².

See Volcanic ash, A clean-air room at home, Masks for smoke and People sensitive to polluted air. How warnings reach you is on our Iceland alerts page.

A household plan can note who at home is sensitive to polluted air and how you will seal a room on bad days.

Frequently asked questions

Does Iceland have a national air quality website?

Yes: loftgaedi.is, run by Umhverfis- og orkustofnun ¹.

Who forecasts volcanic gas pollution?

The Icelandic Met Office, during eruptions, as a text forecast and maps for the next 48 hours ².

Can children sleep outside in a pram during an eruption?

Not when SO2 is above 20 µg/m³, and not while SO2 pollution persists or peaks ¹.

Can I report gas pollution?

Yes. The Met Office takes reports from residents of inhabited areas, not from people visiting the eruption site ².