Air quality alarm in Kiel: Fine dust endangers our health!

Air quality alarm in Kiel: Fine dust endangers our health!

The everyday life of Cologne residents is still dominated by the issue of air quality today, July 9, 2025. The measuring station on Bahnhofstrasse in Kiel recorded current values ​​for fine dust, nitrogen dioxide and ozone, which show how important it is to pay attention to the air we breathe. Loud kn online There are clear limits for air quality, which is increasingly becoming a health issue.

The current situation shows that the permissible limit for fine dust (PM10) is 50 micrograms per cubic meter, although this may not be exceeded more than 35 times per year. High levels can quickly have a negative impact on health, as the EU attests that 240,000 premature deaths are caused by fine dust every year.

Air quality values ​​in detail

Air quality is divided into different categories: “Very Poor”, “Poor”, “Moderate”, “Good” and “Very Good”. The values ​​are as follows:

• „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.

According to current measurements, sensitive people in particular are asked to avoid physical exertion outdoors when the air quality is “poor”. The following applies: “moderate” air quality does not indicate any health effects in the short term, but effects could occur in the long term. If the quality is “good”, no negative effects are to be expected, which can noticeably improve the quality of life.

Fine dust and its causes

An interesting detail is the importance of New Year's Eve fireworks for fine dust pollution: around 2,050 tons of fine dust are released every year, which accounts for 75% of the total annual emissions. The smoke from fireworks contributes significantly to air pollution and is not only harmful to air quality, but also to health.

The effects of air pollution are serious. “Air pollution is the biggest environmental health risk in Europe,” reports EUA. The connection between air quality and health is clear: long-term exposure to polluted air can cause serious health problems. Although there was a 45% reduction in deaths between 2005 and 2022, at least 239,000 people in the EU died in 2022 from particulate matter pollution above the WHO guideline.

The new EU air quality regulations, which are closer to WHO standards, have one goal: to reduce nitrogen deposition in ecosystems by 25% by 2030. This is a step in the right direction to sustainably improve air quality and thus protect the health of the population in our cities.

Today's look at the air values ​​in Kiel shows once again: It is up to us to be careful with our environment in order to create a healthy living space. We all share the responsibility for better air quality.