Red alert in Kiel: Fine dust crisis endangers health!

Red alert in Kiel: Fine dust crisis endangers health!

Air quality has an impact on our health - this sentence is more relevant than ever, especially today. On July 18, 2025, current air quality levels were measured in Kiel that give cause for concern. Loud KN online A fine dust concentration (PM10) of 45 micrograms per cubic meter of air was found in Bahnhofstrasse. The permissible limit is 50 micrograms, which may be exceeded 35 times per year. But how dangerous is this fine dust really?

In order to assess air quality, three values ​​are primarily considered: fine dust, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. Fine dust concentrations above 100 micrograms are considered “very bad,” while values ​​of 51 to 100 micrograms are classified as “poor.” When it comes to nitrogen dioxide, values ​​above 200 micrograms are classified as “very bad”. The WHO pointed out that air pollution is the biggest health risk in Germany, with around 240,000 premature deaths annually caused by particulate matter.

Signs of concern

What are the recommendations if the air quality is “poor” or “very poor”? Sensitive people should avoid physical exertion outdoors, while with “moderate” air quality, only long-term health effects are to be feared. Interestingly, fireworks contribute to a large part of fine dust pollution: an estimated 1,500 tons of fine dust are released on New Year's Eve, which corresponds to 75% of the annual emissions from fireworks, as well n-ag.de reported.

One thing is clear: depending on weather conditions, such as temperature, wind speed and humidity, fine dust levels can change quickly. This is also reflected in the measurements from April 20, 2025, which reported similar values. The pressure to sustainably improve air quality is growing not only among the authorities, but also among the population.

EU projects and future prospects

In response, the EU Commission has proposed new, stricter air quality limits based on the WHO guidelines. These new limits, which are due to apply from 2030, bring with them a discrepancy from the previously applicable values, which are over two decades old. Like that Federal Environment Agency Reportedly, this is intended to combat many of the chronic diseases caused by air pollution in the long term, including strokes and heart attacks.

But the challenge remains: the majority of the population breathes air with fine dust concentrations that are above the WHO guidelines. Vulnerable and economically disadvantaged groups are particularly at risk. The road to a pollutant-free environment by 2050 is still a long way off, and additional measures are needed to protect the population as best as possible.