Alarming air pollution in Göttingen: fine dust levels are exploding!

Alarming air pollution in Göttingen: fine dust levels are exploding!

Alarming air quality values ​​have been measured in Göttingen, which are cause for concern for many citizens. On October 30, 2025, the measuring station on Bürgerstraße registered significant fine dust levels that were above the permissible limit values. Current measurements show that PM10 levels in the air are often above the critical value of 50 micrograms per cubic meter, which may be exceeded a maximum of 35 times per year goettinger-tageblatt.de reported.

Similar limit exceedances were detected on September 24 and July 9, 2025, highlighting concerns about air quality in the region. According to the latest measurements, values ​​above 100 μg/m³ for fine dust are considered “very bad”. Given these alarming figures, the issue of air pollution, which is considered the biggest environmental health risk in Europe, is moving to the center of the discussion.

Air pollution and its consequences

The main causes of high levels of particulate matter are diverse, with traffic emissions playing a particularly significant role. The European Environment Agency estimates that around 240,000 premature deaths in the EU each year are directly linked to particulate matter pollution. Air pollution is therefore not just a local problem, but a national one. Sensitive people are asked to avoid physical exertion outdoors if the values ​​are classified as “poor” or “very bad”, as n-ag.de adds.

It should also be mentioned that experience shows that there is an increase in the concentration of fine dust due to fireworks on New Year's Eve. According to statistics, around 75% of the annual particulate matter, around 1,500 tonnes, is released this night, further exacerbating the problem.

Effective measures to improve air quality

However, the political framework seems to be designed for improvement. In a positive step, Dirk Messner, President of the Federal Environment Agency, reported on general compliance with the limit values ​​in 2024 and increasing measures to reduce emissions in the transport sector. These include, among other things, exhaust aftertreatment and the electrification of buses, as umweltbundesamt.de emphasizes.

The new European air quality directive, which came into force in December 2024, is intended to set stricter limits by 2030. These include, among other things, a reduction in the permitted NO2 values ​​from 40 to 20 µg/m³, which could lead to better air quality in the long term.

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether the measures taken will actually lead to a noticeable improvement in air quality in Göttingen. Citizens and those responsible are asked to work together to improve air purity and work towards lasting solutions.