Air pollution is associated with a long range of negative effects on human health, environment and climate. WHO estimates that air pollution on a global scale, is responsible for 6-7 million premature deaths every year. In Denmark, the number of premature deaths related to air pollution is estimated to be 3000-4000 yearly, which is calculated with the model system EVA - Economic Evaluation of Air Pollution.

Airborne nutrients and acidifying compounds are deposited into natural and aquatic environments causing loss of biodiversity. This disturbs the sensitive ecosystems and increases the risk of fully degradation. Ground level ozone damages vegetation and leads to reduced crop yields. Finally, air pollution plays an important role in relation to climate change.

The department of Environmental Science and DCE - Danish Centre for Environment and Energy runs comprehensive research and research-based consultancy focusing on air pollution and the related effects. The research is based on data from the air pollution monitoring program and from experimental studies in the laboratory and from field work studies. Moreover, advanced model calculations developed by the department estimates how air pollution affect human health as well as natural and aquatic ecosystems, and the interaction between climate and air pollution.