Identifying emissions of air pollutants and collecting the information in emissions databases is the foundation of work on air quality. The more detailed and comprehensive information that is available on sources and their emissions, the better, and more targeted, different actions can be prioritised and implemented.

Different types of sources
SMHI Airviro module EDB is used to describe the emission of air pollutants into the air. Four different types of emission sources are represented: point, area, line and grid sources. In the emissions database, data is collected on which air pollutants are emitted into the atmosphere and where the emissions occur. In addition, information is included as to how the emissions vary over time.

An important function of the emissions database is to generate input data for dispersion and exposure calculations. In order to do this, the sources need to be well-described in both time and space. Other important functions of emissions databases are to establish linkages between sources and policy measures, as well as monitoring regional environmental objectives.