Air pollution in Hesse: Health risks for millions!

Air pollution in Hesse: Health risks for millions!

Air quality in the Rhine-Main area, especially in Frankfurt and Wiesbaden, has alarming values. According to a report by Hessenchau , the fine dust and nitrogen dioxide load is particularly high in these cities. Health is at risk, which is favored by the influence of traffic, heating and industry.

In an evaluation of German environmental aid (DUH), the health risks in Germany become clear: almost everywhere the stress caused by fine dust and nitrogen dioxide are harmful to health, and in almost 99% of the measurement stations, the limit value recommendations of the WHO für dust are exceeded, which should be 5 µg/m³. With nitrogen dioxide, the harmful value of 10 µg/m³ is exceeded at about three quarters of the measuring stations.

regional stress and risks

The situation in Frankfurt and Wiesbaden, which have the highest values ​​in Hesse, is particularly worrying. In Frankfurt, an estimated 77 out of 100,000 inhabitants die prematurely from the consequences of air pollution, while 69 early deaths are recorded in Wiesbaden. These estimates are controversial, since air pollution is often not given as a direct cause of death.

The health consequences are serious. Respiratory diseases, heart problems and lower life expectancy are the most common effects. Children, older people and people with previous illnesses are particularly at risk.

improvements and measures

Nevertheless, there are also positive developments. Frankfurt reduced the nitrogen dioxide load at the Friedberger Landstrasse measuring station from 41.7 µg/m² in 2019 to 25.8 µg/m² in 2023. Wiesbaden also reports on a reduction in nitrogen dioxide load of 53 µg/m² in 2015 to 26 µg/m² in 2024.

In Wiesbaden, further measures are planned to improve air quality. This includes the expansion of the cycle path network, the purchase of additional electric buses and speed reductions in the city.

political reactions and demands

The DUH, however, calls for stricter measures to combat air pollution and the early implementation of new EU limit values ​​for air pollutants by 2028 as well as the implementation of strict WHO guidelines by 2035. In view of the planned abstention of the Federal Government, the DUH sharply criticizes this approach.

The problem of air pollution and its health consequences not only affects Hesse, but is also a nationwide problem in Germany. In cities such as Munich and Essen, limit values ​​are still exceeded, which illustrates the urgency of the measures. According to estimates, compliance with the WHO recommendations could avoid up to 28,900 premature deaths from fine dust and 10,000 by nitrogen dioxide in Germany.

Time for effective and determined measures against air pollution. In this sense, the DUH calls on the Federal Government to act to protect the health of the population and to improve the quality of life in the cities.