Alarming air quality in Stralsund: fine dust levels exceed limit values!

Alarming air quality in Stralsund: fine dust levels exceed limit values!

Let's take a look at the current air quality in Stralsund, because there's a lot going on here. Yesterday, June 15, 2025, the measuring station at Knieperdamm recorded the particle number for fine dust (PM10) per cubic meter of air. The limit value for PM10 is 50 particles. Exceedances are permitted up to 35 times per year. Air quality is measured using three values: fine dust, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. While the measurements are taken as hourly averages for nitrogen dioxide and ozone as well as hourly daily moving averages for fine dust, the question remains as to how the values ​​influence our health.

In the EU, around 240,000 premature deaths are attributed to particulate matter every year. If the air quality is “very poor,” sensitive people should avoid physical exertion outdoors. If the air quality is “poor”, it makes sense to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, while if the air quality is “moderate”, short-term health effects are unlikely, but sensitive people in particular can be affected. The values ​​for “good” and “very good”, however, indicate no health disadvantages and therefore the best conditions for outdoor activities.

National and European air quality limits

Why are these values ​​even important? It's simple: current limits for fine dust and nitrogen dioxide come from a time when air quality was viewed far less critically. Established over 20 years ago, they are now due for revision. The EU Commission is proposing stricter limit values, which are based on the updated WHO guidelines from 2021. An agreement was reached in negotiations between the European Parliament and the European Council on February 20, 2024, but this has yet to be officially adopted. The Federal Environment Agency welcomes the new limit values, which will apply from 2030 in order to better protect human health and achieve a pollutant-free environment by 2050, as the Federal Environment Agency website states.

From the experts' point of view, particular attention should be paid to the vulnerable and economically disadvantaged groups who struggle disproportionately with the negative consequences of air pollution. While the limit values ​​previously only helped those who were at best healthy, social differences are now becoming more visible.

What lies ahead for us?

Another reason for concern: Germany has repeatedly violated the old EU limits, which has brought the country into EU proceedings. According to reports, more than 300,000 people in the EU died in 2021 as a result of air pollution, mainly from particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. Critics warn of waves of lawsuits and emphasize that these new regulations could also impact mobility and industrial production. The draft for the new limit values ​​falls short of the WHO recommendations and is viewed critically. In order to maintain the pressure, member states are allowed to allow exceptions, but without introducing driving bans.

The air quality debate has many facets - from the health risks for the population to environmental challenges and legal aspects. The question remains: Will we be able to look to the future with cleaner air? One thing is clear: we still have a lot to do here.

Those interested can find out more about current air quality from the Ostsee-Zeitung or take a look at the recommendations of the Federal Environment Agency. To delve further into the topic, it is also worth clicking on the Tagesschau articles, which take up and discuss the latest developments in European air quality legislation.