Attention, Kiel! Dark air values ​​endanger health and well-being

Attention, Kiel! Dark air values ​​endanger health and well-being

Air quality is an important issue that affects us all - not just in urban areas but also in our quiet corners of the country. Current measurements of air pollutant concentrations in Kiel, which were recorded on June 20, 2025, provide information about the state of the air we breathe. According to KN Online, fine dust particles (PM10) are recorded per cubic meter of air at the measuring station on Bahnhofstrasse. The limit value for PM10 is 50 micrograms per cubic meter, which may be exceeded 35 times per year. Air quality is based on three values: fine dust, nitrogen dioxide and ozone.

But what exactly are the limit values? When we talk about classification, things get exciting. A value for nitrogen dioxide above 200 μg/m³ is classified as “very poor”, while 101-200 μg/m³ is already considered “poor”. The situation is similar with the values ​​for fine dust and ozone, which are classified as “very bad”, “poor” and “moderate”. The measurements are recorded hourly - with nitrogen dioxide and ozone being documented as hourly averages and fine dust as moving daily averages. A clear indication of the urgency, as schleswig-holstein.de explains, is the fact that the EU records 240,000 premature deaths from fine dust every year.

Recommendations for our health

What should we do if air quality is bad? According to KN Online recommendations, sensitive people should avoid physical exertion outdoors when the air is “very bad”. If the air quality is poor to moderate, strenuous activities should be limited, while if the air quality is good, no adverse health effects are to be expected. There is then no longer any need to fear that sports activities in nature will be canceled.

Another interesting detail concerns the effects of fireworks on particulate matter pollution. It is estimated that fireworks release about 2,050 tons of particulate matter into the air each year, with 75 percent of this amount occurring on New Year's Eve. Although this may not seem significant compared to year-round pollution, particulate matter pollution can increase sharply after midnight and be exacerbated by weather conditions. The Umweltbundesamt also sheds light on how unavoidable health effects can occur from fine dust - from irritation of mucous membranes to the risk of cardiovascular diseases and possible long-term consequences.

Health risks in view

The health effects of nitrogen dioxide and ozone should not be underestimated. Nitrogen dioxide arises mainly from combustion processes, especially in road traffic, and has a higher concentration in metropolitan areas. Ozone is formed from precursor substances such as nitrogen oxides and can cause a variety of respiratory diseases, especially during physical exertion. Since the WHO published new guidelines to protect human health in 2021, constant review of the limit values ​​is crucial - as already mentioned by KN Online and schleswig-holstein.de.

Overall, it is clear that air quality in Germany and Europe has made progress in recent decades, but the current limit values ​​are not sufficient to completely avoid health risks. One clarifying word at the end remains: Raising awareness about air quality is the first step towards a healthier life for all of us. Let's breathe deeply, but be careful what we breathe in!