OBJECTIVE: With rising attention on climate change and the aftermath of burning fossil fuels, there is much concern regarding the effects of air pollution on physical and psychologic health. However, the relationship between chronic stress and air pollution is relatively unexplored in humans. METHODS: By combining German representative data with national pollution data and using step-wise regression analyses, this study investigates how air pollution (PM2.5 and PM10) impacts ones' chronic stress levels (TICS). RESULTS: Results show PM2.5 fine-dust particles significantly affect chronic stress, while PM10 has no such effect. Air pollution (PM2.5), age and income together explain 3% of variation in chronic stress in a nationally representative sample. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies must test pollutants such as NO2 and O3 as well as investigate the potential accumulated effect of pollution and stress combined on human health.