Sharper air quality guidelines: EU sets new standards for health!
Sharper air quality guidelines: EU sets new standards for health!
On January 24, 2025, the air quality in Marburg is the subject of a detailed analysis. The measuring station in University Road provides current data on fine dust particles (PM10) and other pollutants in the air. The legal limit for PM10 is 50 micrograms per cubic meter, whereby this value may be exceeded 35 times annually. The air quality is evaluated using three main parameters: fine dust, nitrogen dioxide and ozone.
The limit values for the air quality are clearly defined. With values over 200 μg/m³ for nitrogen dioxide, 100 μg/m³ for fine dust or 240 μg/m³ for ozone, the air quality is considered "very bad". These categories continue to "very good", which represents optimal conditions for outdoor activities. The measurements are carried out as an hourly remedy or as an hourly sliding daily remedy.
challenges due to air pollution
A worrying aspect is the fact that around 240,000 premature deaths are due to fine dust pollution in the European Union annually. In view of these figures, the health authority recommends that sensitive people should avoid physical exertion outdoors in the event of “very bad” air quality. Even with “moderate” air quality, health effects in vulnerable groups could not be excluded.
The discussion about air quality gains urgency, since current limit values for fine dust and nitrogen dioxide have existed for over 20 years and remain significantly behind today's scientific knowledge. The EU Commission therefore submitted a proposal to revise the air quality guideline on October 26, 2022 in order to establish stricter guidelines. These new limit values are based on the WHO guidelines published in 2021.
new EU guidelines in focus
An agreement on the new limit values was reached on February 20, 2024, which contains specific requirements for reducing air pollution pollution for highly stressed locations, especially in busy areas. The new regulatory framework provides a continuous reduction in doses of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine dust (pm2.5) in order to achieve the WHO specifications as quickly as possible. However, these proposals still have to be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the European Council.
The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has already welcomed the new limit values because they are intended to promote the protection of human health and could come into force from 2030. This measure represents a step towards a zero pollutant goal by 2050. However, the challenge of complying with these new requirements across the EU should not be underestimated, especially in the case of highly stressed locations.
fireworks and air quality
A special factor that temporarily influences air quality is the fireworks on New Year's Eve. It leads to a significant increase in fine dust pollution, with about 2050 tons being released annually, of which 1500 tons (i.e. 75%) are created on New Year's Eve. The fine dust pollution quickly drops with wind, but certain weather conditions such as inversion weather conditions can cause hours of stress in the cities and further deteriorate air quality.
In total it is clear that air pollution is not only a annoying but also a serious health problem. The upcoming change in EU regulations could mean decisive progress for better air quality management in the future. While current values illustrate the urgency, it is essential, quickly and effectively to react to the new guidelines in order to minimize the health risks and to ensure a clean air for everyone.For more information, please visit the pages of op Marburg ( op Marburg ), the Federal Environment Agency ( Environmental Federal Office ).
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Quellen | |