Air quality in Rostock: How dangerous is fine dust?

Air quality in Rostock: How dangerous is fine dust?

Air quality in Rostock and all over Germany is again in focus due to new measurements. The measuring station on Holbein-Platz recorded air dust particles (PM10) per cubic meter of air on June 27, 2025. According to the EU regulations, the limit of 50 particles per cubic meter may be exceeded a maximum of 35 times per year. But what about the air quality in the Hanseatic city?

Overall, the air quality is measured using three values: fine dust, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. The limit values ​​for the respective pollutants are clearly defined. For example, a value of over 200 μg/m³ for nitrogen dioxide is considered "very bad", while a concentration of over 100 μg/m³ reaches this critical status at fine dust. The problems are particularly well known during inverse weather conditions, which can lead to hours of fine dust loads. If you are outdoors in such conditions, you should be careful.

Current air quality measurements

The measurements in Germany show that the PM10 annual means are currently between 15 and 20 µg/m³, which is a decrease of 50 µg/m³ in the 1990s, as reported by the Federal Environment Agency. But the situation remains tense: Around 99 percent of the measurement stations recorded in Germany exceed the WHO recommendation of 5 µg/m³ for fine dust. In around three quarters of the stations, harmful values ​​of over 10 µg/m³ for nitrogen dioxide are also measured. Top values ​​are documented in cities such as Munich and Essen, where the limit values ​​are still exceeded.

Another aspect that should be considered: On New Year's Eve, the minus of the fireworks has a effect on the fine dust pollution. Around 2050 tons of fine dust are released annually, with 1500 tons (75 percent) emerging on New Year's Eve alone. Although these particles do not appear significant compared to year -round loads, they are still an additional health risk, especially for sensitive groups.

recommendations for the population

The health risks due to poor air quality and fine dust are known. According to German environmental aid, compliance with the WHO limit values ​​in Germany could avoid up to 28,900 premature deaths from fine dust and 10,000 by nitrogen dioxide annually. Therefore, it is advisable to stay inside with poor air quality. In the case of a "bad" air quality status, sensitive people should avoid exhaustion outdoors.

The discussion about air quality standards shows that there is a need for action. While the limit values ​​of 40 µg/m³ for fine dust and nitrogen dioxide are still not observed in Germany, the demand for German environmental aid is clear after a defined positioning of the federal government: compliance with stricter guidelines is essential. Many cities show that emissions have been drastically reduced by traffic, industry and other sources since the 1990s, but the pace of reduction is stagnating.

In connection with the current measurement on Holbein-Platz, it can be seen that Rostock is not spared the nationwide problems. So if you are planning the next walk, you should keep the air quality in mind. It could be worth taking a look at the current measured values ​​before you are in the open air.

Further information on the topics of air quality and fine dust can be found in the reports of Ostsee-Zeitung href = "https://www.umweltbundamt.de/daten/luft/feinstaub-beladung"> Environmental Federal Office and German Environmental Hilfe .