Biomonitoring Network

In order to limit the impacts of air pollution, it is important to assess emissions and impacts. Living organisms, such as mosses, green cabbages or grasses, are used to assess the impact of pollution at specific locations. Their characteristics make them particularly sensitive to the atmosphere surrounding them. Subject to excessive pollution, they react or may even disappear in this environment, and therefore can be used as a test of air quality. The specific bioindicators used in Luxembourg detect by quantitative accumulation the presence of organic pollutants and heavy metals in the air. These bioindicators, especially leaf vegetables, trap these particles, which can only be partially removed by washing (rain, tap water before consumption).