Stralsund in the air quality alarm: fine dust values rise dramatically!
Stralsund in the air quality alarm: fine dust values rise dramatically!
On July 5, 2025, the current measurement data of the air quality in Germany raise questions. Especially in Stralsund-Knieperdamm, the fine dust pollution is permanently monitored. According to the Ostsee-Zeitung Fine dust particles (PM10) are recorded per cubic meter of air. The limit is 50 particles per cubic meter, and this may only be exceeded 35 times a year. With regard to the air quality, three other pollutants are observed: nitrogen dioxide, ozone and its limit value recommendations.
The air quality is divided into categories. Values over 200 µg/m³ for nitrogen dioxide, over 100 µg/m³ for fine dust and over 240 µg/m³ for ozone are considered "very bad". In “bad” values, particularly sensitive people have to hold back. In the EU there are around 240,000 early deaths due to fine dust, a pressing problem that cannot be ignored.
recommendations for better air quality
The current recommendations for air quality vary depending on the measured value. In "very bad" conditions, sensitive people should avoid physical activity outdoors, while in the case of "bad" values, only strenuous activities should be restricted. With “moderate” values, short -term health effects are unlikely, but here too sensitive people should be vigilant.
fine dust - an increasingly important topic
A look at the development of fine dust loads in Germany shows that the measurements have been carried out for PM10 since 2000 and since 2008 for PM2.5. According to the Federal Environment Agency , the burden of PM10 annual values has dropped from 50 µg/m³ to currently between 15 and 20 µg/m³ since the 1990s. This positive development can be observed primarily in urban areas where traffic and industry are the main causes of emissions.
Nevertheless, reports of the German Environmental Aid in many regions of Germany's health-endangering levels are almost continuously exceeded. This applies not only to fine dust, but also nitrogen dioxide, whereby the WHO recommendations at 99% of the measuring stations are exceeded. Such alarming numbers force to discuss strict measures and an adaptation of the legally defined limit values.
The effects of the New Year's Eve fireworks
Special attention attracts the topic of fine dust pollution from the New Year's Eve fireworks. Around 2050 tons of fine dust are released by fireworks every year, with 75% of which are created on a single night, New Year's Eve. Even if this burden does not appear significant compared to the annual average, it remains risk to health.
In summary, it can be said that air quality in Stralsund and all of Germany requires a constant overview. Despite considerable progress since the 1990s, the topic of high social relevance remains, and the dialogue about the health of the population must be in the top priority. Finally, compliance with recommended limit values from the WHO could avoid thousands of early deaths every year.| Details | |
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| Ort | Stralsund, Deutschland |
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