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

Short answer. EcoZagroza (ЕкоЗагроза), the official service of Ukraine's environment ministry, is a website and app whose air quality map uses six levels, from "good" to "dangerous" ¹. On average, fine particles in Ukrainian cities are about 13 µg/m³, more than twice the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³ ²⁴; background nitrogen dioxide is below the WHO guideline ³⁴.

Where can I check air quality right now?

On EcoZagroza, at ecozagroza.gov.ua, or in its Android and iPhone app ¹. The site describes itself as the official resource of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, used to collect real-time reports of environmental threats, including those caused by the Russian occupation, and its map includes an air pollution layer ¹. The site also says the service has been only partially restored, so keep a second way to follow official warnings. Install the app before you need it, and check the reading for your own town rather than the nearest big city.

What do the index levels mean?

EcoZagroza's air layer uses six levels, based on PM2.5 concentrations ¹:

The site states that the scale is based on the US EPA's PM2.5 NowCast air quality index ¹. Phaenyx found no separate national regulatory index with official health advice per level. For how the US-style index works and what each colour usually means for health, see Air quality index explained.

How polluted is the air on average?

Moderately for fine particles. The population-weighted median of Ukrainian cities shows about 13 µg/m³ of PM2.5 (annual mean 2021-2023) ², more than twice the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³ ⁴. Nitrogen dioxide is about 7.9 µg/m³ ³, below the WHO guideline of 10 µg/m³ ⁴. That NO2 figure is a regional background over roughly 80 km: a busy street will be higher. These averages do not show short spikes, such as smoke from a large fire.

What should I do on a bad air day, or with smoke or dust?

The general guides apply, as Phaenyx found no national official advice for bad air days, smoke or dust:

• Smoke from fires: see Wildfire smoke, A clean-air room at home and Masks for smoke.
• Toxic smoke or chemical release: follow official instructions; see Chemical shelter-in-place.
• Dust: see Dust storms.
• Pollution episodes and ozone: see Pollution episodes and Ozone days.
• Sensitive people: see Sensitive people and polluted air and Children and polluted air.
• Official warnings: see our Ukraine alerts page for sirens and the alert channels.

A household plan can list who in your home is sensitive to polluted air and which room to keep closed when smoke arrives.

Frequently asked questions

Does Ukraine have an official air quality map?

Yes. The environment ministry's EcoZagroza shows air quality on a map, on the web and in an app ¹.

What scale does EcoZagroza use?

Six levels from "good" to "dangerous", based on the US EPA's PM2.5 NowCast index ¹.

Is the air in Ukraine above WHO guidelines?

For PM2.5, yes: about 13 µg/m³ in the city median ² against 5 µg/m³ ⁴. Background NO2, about 7.9 µg/m³, is below the 10 µg/m³ guideline ³⁴.