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

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

What does the current air quality in Kiel say? On September 12, 2025, a measuring station on Bahnhofstrasse recorded the values ​​for fine dust (PM10), nitrogen dioxide and ozone. The data shows that air quality depends significantly on pollutant concentrations measured hourly. The permissible limit for PM10 is 50 micrograms per cubic meter, which allows 35 exceedances per year. The following applies to the measurements: If nitrogen dioxide is over 200 µg/m³, fine dust is over 100 µg/m³ or ozone is over 240 µg/m³, this is considered to be very poor air quality. This information provides kn online.

What exactly is the air pollution like in Kiel? In the city, the pollutants that affect air quality are diverse. Carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas, is created by car exhaust and incomplete combustion. Nitric oxide also contributes to air pollution and can be converted into high levels of nitrogen dioxide, which is considered an irritant. Ozone forms from exhaust gases when exposed to sunlight, making it particularly dangerous in summer. These details are important because the air quality index (AQI) rates air quality on a scale from 1 (very good) to 5 (very poor) and counts the highest individual pollutant value. For sensitive people such as children, seniors or people with previous illnesses, pollution is a particularly big issue, explains whatsweather.

Air quality and health risks

Air pollution not only impacts the environment, but also human health. There have already been 240,000 premature deaths due to particulate matter in the European Union. Sensitive people should reduce physical exertion outdoors, especially when air quality is poor. According to current values, adverse health effects are to be expected in very poor air quality, and even in moderate conditions there are risks for sensitive people. It is therefore important to be particularly careful in Kiel when pollutant levels rise.

The influence of weather conditions should also not be underestimated. Inversion weather conditions can cause hours of fine dust pollution. Statistics also show that fireworks release around 2,050 tons of fine dust on New Year's Eve, 1,500 tons of which on New Year's Eve alone. The fine dust pollution increases sharply in the short term, but can quickly subside due to wind. These are aspects that concern us all, because the health risks cannot be ignored. The focus must be on air quality, as it significantly influences not only our leisure activities, but also our health.

Balance sheet and outlook

Overall, air quality in Kiel has become less polluting in recent decades, with emissions of some pollutants falling by around 64% in Germany. Nevertheless, local exceedances of the limit values ​​remain a challenge. For example, the most recently published ranking shows that some German cities are lagging far behind when it comes to air quality, while Kiel can present itself as comparatively better. Statista emphasizes the importance of permanent monitoring in order to continue to ensure and, if necessary, improve the air quality for all Kiel residents.