Fine dust alarm in Neuwied: Border value exceeded!

Fine dust alarm in Neuwied: Border value exceeded!

On February 6, 2025, the fine dust value in Neuwied significantly exceeded the permissible limit. The Neuwied-Hermannstraße measurement station registered a value of 38 µg/m³ of fine dust (pm₂, ₅), which led to a classification in the red area of ​​the air quality index (LQI)-the air quality can therefore be classified as "bad". In the normal range, the fine dust values ​​are between 0 and 25 µg/m³. With this high load, sensitive groups of people such as asthmatics and people with previous illnesses of the cardiovascular system are particularly affected. Fine dust can trigger respiratory diseases and lead to serious cardiovascular diseases in the long term. The causes of poor air quality are diverse and range from the combustion of fossil fuels to strong traffic to industrial and agricultural pollutants.

The different weather conditions, such as rain, sunlight and wind, also have an impact on air quality. The highest fine dust value in the region was measured with 53 µg/m³ in Worms. In contrast, the cleanest value in Neuwieder Hermannstrasse on November 24, 2024 was recorded with only 1 µg/m³. These drastic fluctuations illustrate the challenges that air quality in urban areas brings.

air quality in Germany

General air quality in Germany shows intermediate fluctuations and is the worst in metropolitan areas. The highest loads from fine dust (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) can be recorded here. According to the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), the average pollution of metropolitan areas becomes lower towards rural areas. The values ​​are particularly critical in traffic -loaded locations. The UBA regularly publishes data on air pollution and has also provided a final evaluation of air quality in Germany for 2023. This information is obtained from the data of around 400 measurement stations that provide continuous measurements of the air pollutant situation.

The interactive map service of the UBA has offered an overview of the air pollution in Germany since 2000. Cards are created that reproduce the immission situation well and mark heavily loaded places as "spots". Alternative data sources confirm these values ​​and show that there are almost no -harmful loads with fine dust and nitrogen dioxide in Germany. Limit value recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) were exceeded at 99 percent of the measuring stations for fine dust, whereby the recommended limit is only 5 µg/m³.

political measures and recommendations

The German Environmental Aid (DUH) calls on the Federal Government to determine binding limit values ​​in accordance with the WHO recommendations by early 2025. This requirement becomes all the more urgent, since the limit values ​​for NO2 are still exceeded with 40 µg/m³ in popular cities such as Munich and Essen. The DUH emphasizes that compliance with the WHO recommendations could prevent 28,900 early deaths from fine dust and 10,000 by nitrogen dioxide in Germany. In an international comparison, US authorities have reduced the limit for health-damaging fine dust from 12 to 9 µg/m³, but in Germany, however, fine dust loads of up to 25 µg/m³ are still permitted.

The development of air quality remains a central topic that has both health and political dimensions, and it is crucial that suitable measures are taken to improve air quality.