Lübeck in the air quality check: How healthy are we breathing today?

Lübeck in the air quality check: How healthy are we breathing today?

If you take a look at the air quality in Lübeck on November 23, 2025, it quickly becomes clear that the issue not only affects the city, but also the entire region. Measurements at the station in Moislinger-Allee show important values ​​that determine the air we breathe. The air quality is assessed based on fine dust particles (PM10), nitrogen dioxide and ozone, of which fine dust plays a central role. The limit value for PM10 is 50 particles per cubic meter of air and may only be exceeded 35 times a year ln-online.de reported.

Going a step further, we learn about air quality limits, which are divided into different categories. If the nitrogen dioxide values ​​are over 200 μg/m³, the air quality is considered “very poor”. For fine dust, the critical values ​​are more than 100 μg/m³, while ozone above 240 μg/m³ is classified as worrying. On the other hand, there are also positive outlooks: No adverse health effects are to be expected with “good” or “very good”.

Health recommendations

When air quality is poor, health takes priority. If the values ​​are “poor”, experts recommend that particularly sensitive people should avoid strenuous outdoor activities. If the condition is “very bad,” you should even avoid outdoor activities entirely. These recommendations not only come from local authorities, but have also been comprehensively supported by umweltbundesamt.de, where the current air quality index analyzes the various pollutants hourly.

Air pollution not only has a direct impact on health, but is also considered the most important environmental risk factor in Europe. Estimates from 2022 show that around 239,000 deaths in the EU can be attributed to particulate matter. Vigilance is therefore required, especially because the values ​​have changed over the years. Even though emissions in Germany have fallen by around 64% since 1995, there are still areas where the limits are exceeded, Statista reports.

In-depth insights into air pollutants

Interestingly, it's not just cities like Lübeck that are affected by air pollution. It is a global problem that can damage flora and fauna as well as human health. These include important pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and fine dust, which also play a role in modern industry and transport. According to statista.com, industrialization and transport contributed greatly to the increase in emissions in the 20th century, but these have now declined.

With the EU Air Quality Directive, which is due to be updated in 2024, the authorities plan to implement stricter limits that will be binding from 2030. The aim of these measures is to better inform the public about air quality and its health consequences. Vulnerable groups in particular, such as children and the chronically ill, receive particular attention.

Finally, it should be noted that the New Year's Eve fireworks traditionally bring a short-term charging time for fine dust levels in the air. Although pollution reaches a peak on New Year's Eve at around 2,050 tons of fine dust, it remains relatively low compared to the total annual pollution. It remains to be hoped that through continued increasing awareness and new standards, the air quality in Lübeck and beyond will continue to improve.