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

Short answer. Check calitateaer.ro, the site of Romania's National Air Quality Monitoring Network, which shows an index for each automatic station ¹. The index runs from 1 to 6, each number with its own colour, is set by the worst pollutant measured and is updated every hour ¹. Fine particles in Romanian cities average about three times the WHO guideline ⁴⁶.

Where can I check air quality right now?

On calitateaer.ro, run by the Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Protection Agency (ANPM). Its "Indici de calitate" page explains the index and opens the station map ¹. A general index is set for each automatic station in the national network ¹.

What do the index levels mean?

Each station gets a specific index for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, PM2.5 and PM10, and its general index is the highest of these ¹. All indices are whole numbers from 1 to 6, each corresponding to a colour, and are updated hourly ¹. For fine particles, the official bands are based on the hourly average concentration ²:

Phaenyx found no official names or health advice attached to each index number on the network's site. The network's FAQ warns that most high readings come from PM10, especially in winter, and that these automatic PM10 readings are not the standard reference method ³. For what pollution levels mean for health, see Air quality index explained.

How polluted is the air on average?

Fine particles are the main problem. The population-weighted median of Romanian cities shows about 14 µg/m³ of PM2.5 (annual mean 2021-2023) ⁴, almost three times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³ ⁶. Nitrogen dioxide is about 8 µg/m³ ⁵, 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 during wildfire smoke?

Check the nearest station on calitateaer.ro before going out, especially if someone in your home is sensitive ¹.

• Check the nearest station on calitateaer.ro before going out, especially if someone in your home is sensitive ¹. See Sensitive people and polluted air and Children and polluted air.
• Winter particle peaks: the network says most high index values come from PM10, especially in winter ³. See Pollution episodes and A clean-air room at home.
• Smoke from fires: Phaenyx found no official household advice for smoke on the network's site. See Wildfire smoke and Masks for smoke and dust.
• Summer ozone: see Ozone days.
• Official warnings: see our Romania alerts page.

A household plan can list who in your home is sensitive to polluted air and which room to keep closed on bad days.

Frequently asked questions

How often is Romania's air quality index updated?

Every hour, for each automatic station ¹.

Which pollutants does the index cover?

Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, PM2.5 and PM10; the worst one sets the general index ¹.

Why are PM10 readings often high?

The network says most high indices come from PM10, especially in winter, measured by automatic instruments that are not the standard method ³.

Is PM2.5 in Romania above the WHO guideline?

Yes. The city median is about 14 µg/m³ per year ⁴, against 5 µg/m³ ⁶.