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

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

Anyone who is in Kiel today has to be prepared for an unpleasant surprise: the air quality is anything but good. In Bahnhofstrasse, the measuring station recorded alarming values ​​for fine dust (PM10), which at 37 micrograms per cubic meter exceed the permitted limit of 50 micrograms per cubic meter. According to the guidelines, this value may be exceeded a maximum of 35 times per year, which makes the current situation particularly critical. According to kn-online.de, the air quality index (LQI) is now in the red zone, forcing risk groups to exercise Avoid outdoor exertion.

Fine dust is made up of small, invisible particles that can insidiously penetrate the respiratory tract and cause health damage. What remains particularly worrying is that the highest daily average values ​​were recorded in Kiel in the last three months, including 42 µg/m³ on March 9, 2025 and 38 µg/m³ on March 24, 2025. The Federal Environment Agency recommends staying indoors if the values ​​are poor like these in order to reduce the risk of health problems. Deteriorated air quality can not only cause breathing problems, but also affect overall well-being.

Health risks and limit values

The health risks posed by various air pollutants should not be underestimated. The Federal Environment Agency informs that high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and ozone as well as fine dust continue to be a problem. Nitrogen dioxide is mainly caused by combustion processes, for example in road traffic, and is particularly harmful to asthmatics.

The limits are clearly defined. Values ​​above 200 µg/m³ for nitrogen dioxide and 100 µg/m³ for fine dust fall into the “very poor” category. In the moderate range, which should be harmless to health, the values ​​for fine dust should not rise below 35 µg/m³ and for ozone above 180 µg/m³. However, current data shows that these values ​​are often exceeded in Kiel, as reported by news.de makes clear.

Long-term developments and recommendations

However, there is still a positive light to report: In the last few decades, air quality in Germany has improved overall. Nevertheless, the trend remains worrying, as even the EU limit values ​​are not sufficient to completely avoid health risks. The WHO is presenting new guidelines from 2021 that set even stricter standards. However, so far the EU limit values ​​have not been sufficient to guarantee the protection of the population.

If there is a negative development in air quality, reference is always made to certain recommendations for action. If the values ​​are “very bad”, it makes sense to minimize spending time outdoors. The same applies to “poor” air quality, while “moderate” values ​​have hardly any direct health effects, but can still be problematic in the long term. “Good” and “very good”, on the other hand, mean significantly better air in which outdoor activities can be carried out without worry.