Fine dust in Bottrop: Red alarm level for air quality!
Fine dust in Bottrop: Red alarm level for air quality!
On January 19, 2025, an alarming fine dust pollution was found in Bottrop. The concentration of PM₂₅ at the Bottrop-Welheim measuring station exceeded the limit and was measured with 35 µg/m³. These values are worrying because the air quality index (LQI) is classified in the red area, which means "bad". In the normal value assessment, the acceptable area for fine dust is 0 to 25 µg/m³. This shows the high air pollution around Bottrop-Welheim.
The measurements in the early morning were particularly critical. A fine dust concentration of 34 µg/m³ was registered between 1:00 and 4:00 a.m. In the context of the past three months, the highest daily mean values were found as follows: On January 7, 2025, 3 µg/m³ were measured as the cleanest air, followed by 29 µg/m³ on January 15 and December 12, 2024. This data illustrates a worrying trend.
health effects
The health risks associated with high fine dust pollution are serious. According to Environmental Federal Agency , sensitive groups of people such as asthmatics and people with cardiovascular diseases are particularly affected. Fine dust can cause or aggravate respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases, which underlines the importance of air quality.
The World Health Organization (WHO) specifies that PM₂₅ concentrations should not be over 5 µg/m³ on the annual average. New studies show that there is no safe value that can be excluded under which health damage can be excluded. The proportion of the population in Germany, which is above this WHO guideline, is currently almost 100 %.
recommended measures
In view of the current air quality, it is advisable to avoid exhausting activities outdoors. In addition, affected people should be in well -air -conditioned interiors and use humidifiers or plants to improve air quality. The wearing of FFP2 masks in risk areas is also advisable, especially on days with continuously poor air quality.The developments of recent years show a decline in fine dust pollution in Germany. Nevertheless, the decline has slowed down since 2016. The average annual value of the PM₂₅ pollution dropped from 15.9 µg/m³ to 9.3 µg/m³ in 2021 in 2010, which corresponds to a reduction of 42 %. These positive developments are primarily due to reduction measures for emissions from inpatient sources and in traffic.
The total force of the disease burden caused by fine dust dropped from around 466,100 Dalys in 2010 to around 232,900 Dalys in 2021. The number of deaths due to fine dust has also significantly reduced, which underlines the efficiency of the measures taken. Nevertheless, the challenge remains to further improve the air quality and to minimize the health risks.
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