The Geneva convention on the long-range air pollution was extended by two groups of contaminants: heavy metals and permanent organic pollutants. Additional protocols were signed by 32 countries, including Poland and the European Union, in Aarhus, in March 1998. Poland's adoption of the new protocols will foster adjustment of the Polish law to the EU requirements and promote the inflow of information on best technologies, enabling elimination of commodities dangerous to health. The article presents the protocols to the convention.