Air quality in Rostock: Alarming fine dust levels at Holbein-Platz!

Air quality in Rostock: Alarming fine dust levels at Holbein-Platz!

In Rostock, the current air quality will be a topic of conversation on January 17, 2026. The values ​​for fine dust (PM10), nitrogen dioxide and ozone are monitored at the measuring station at Holbein-Platz. This shows that the limit value for PM10 of 50 particles per cubic meter in the air is often exceeded. Loud Baltic Sea newspaper This value can be exceeded up to 35 times a year, which doesn't necessarily make the situation any better for residents. If fine dust levels rise to “poor” or even “very bad” levels, it is advisable for sensitive people to stay outside as much as possible.

What exactly does it look like when air quality is classified as “moderate” or “poor”? The air is already classified as very bad if the nitrogen dioxide value is over 200 μg/m³. Although no immediate dangers are expected for supposedly healthy people, the health burden for people with respiratory diseases is significantly increased. There was also loud noise in the EU Federal Environment Agency around 240,000 premature deaths due to particulate matter. An alarming signal that doesn’t concern any of us?

Causes of fine dust pollution

What are the main causes of fine dust? Human activities play a major role here. One of the causes is road traffic, which is prominent in metropolitan areas. But it's not just cars that cause bad air: power and district heating plants, wood stoves and waste incineration plants also contribute to pollution. Natural sources such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires could also play a role, but the perpetrators are primarily found in urban areas. Federal Environment Agency points out that emissions from agriculture, particularly from animal husbandry, are a significant source of secondary particulate matter.

An international comparison shows a positive trend: in the last decade of the 20th century, particulate matter emissions fell drastically, although the decline has stalled since then. Despite all efforts, new measures are required to further reduce PM pollution. This is the only way to sustainably improve air quality.

Health effects of air pollution

A serious issue is the health consequences of air pollution, particularly gases such as nitrogen dioxide and ozone as well as fine particles. These enter the respiratory tract and can lead to serious illnesses such as shortness of breath, chronic cough and even a shortened life. Loud Federal Office for the Environment In Switzerland alone there are over 2,300 premature deaths every year due to air pollution. A series of numbers that shows us doctors a major challenge.

In addition, there are around 14,000 hospital stays every year due to illnesses caused by air pollutants. This is a real hammer! The economic damage caused by these health measures amounts to around 7 billion francs annually in Switzerland. It is all the more important that measures are not only taken to improve air quality, but that positive effects on health are also noticeable.

In conclusion, air quality clearly has a direct impact on our health. We as a society have to face the challenges, get out of the car and pay more attention to our environment - because it keeps us alive!