Air quality in Lüneburg: Fine dust levels in the alarm range!

Air quality in Lüneburg: Fine dust levels in the alarm range!

Poor air quality is an issue that affects us all. This is particularly clear in the current air measurement in Lüneburg, which was carried out on July 1, 2025. Fine dust particles (PM10) were recorded at the measuring station on Zeppelinstrasse, which were determined per cubic meter of air. The limit value for PM10 is 50 micrograms per cubic meter, which may be exceeded up to 35 times per year Landeszeitung reported.

But what is the overall air quality like? This is measured not only by fine dust, but also by nitrogen dioxide and ozone. The limits are clearly defined:

• Sehr schlecht: Stickstoffdioxid > 200 μg/m³, Feinstaub > 100 μg/m³, Ozon > 240 μg/m³
• Schlecht: Stickstoffdioxid 101-200 μg/m³, Feinstaub 51-100 μg/m³, Ozon 181-240 μg/m³
• Mäßig: Stickstoffdioxid 41-100 μg/m³, Feinstaub 35-50 μg/m³, Ozon 121-180 μg/m³
• Gut: Keine gesundheitlich nachteiligen Wirkungen zu erwarten
• Sehr gut: Beste Voraussetzungen für Aktivitäten im Freien

Particularly alarming is the fact that 240,000 premature deaths due to particulate matter are recorded in the European Union every year. If air quality is poor, sensitive people should avoid physical exertion outdoors. These recommendations also come from experts who support the WHO's new air quality guidelines. These are based on the health effects of pollutants and are intended to help the population protect their health, as the Federal Environment Agency explains.

The role of the WHO and limit adjustments

In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) tightened air quality guidelines. Annual average values ​​of less than 5 µg/m³ are recommended for fine dust (PM2.5), less than 10 µg/m³ for nitrogen dioxide and less than 60 µg/m³ for ozone on an 8-hour average. This is a clear signal that must also be recognized in Germany. In fact, the WHO guideline values ​​for PM2.5 and NO2 were exceeded in Germany in 2022, which speaks not only for air quality, but also for the health risks of respiratory diseases and other health problems, as PMC notes.

The current WHO recommendations could also lead to social and political changes in mobility, energy production and urban planning. Improved air quality could not only bring health benefits, but also economic benefits of up to 38 billion euros annually.

Given all this information, the question is how we as a society respond to this challenge. Updating air quality guidelines is a step in the right direction, but also requires active contribution from each individual and the community. Only together can we improve air quality and thereby protect our health.