The good news: The air in German cities is better. But: The EU limit value for nitrogen dioxide has been exceeded, according to new official data in the previous year, there are still 57 German cities. As the Federal environment Agency (UBA) announced on Monday that decreased the number of municipalities affected in order to eight: in 2017, the limit value was exceeded in 65 German cities.
“The air in the cities is better and the Trend is going in the right direction. Nevertheless, The measures taken to date are not enough,” said UBA President Maria Krautzberger. The UBA also criticized a too high load of fine dust. This was a “risk to health”.
According to the authority of 13 cities, had violated the limit value of 40 micrograms of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) per cubic meter of air in the year 2017 is still adhered to, these in the last year. At the same time, five cities exceeded this value slightly again. The Leipzig, Ulm, Koblenz, Germany, Eschweiler, and Sindelfingen.
Overview: nitrogen dioxide-annual mean values in Germany
The map of the nitrogen dioxide annual mean values in Germany to 2018 shows. The underlying data set can be found here.
Real-time data on NO2-exposure, you can find the Portal Windy.com this is the Link.
In the overall picture of the slow decline in the NO2-exposure continued, according to the UBA “in the cities”. On average, the values were found to be at measurement stations in the vicinity of transport arteries, in the year of 1.5 micro-grams below those of the previous year.
Krautzberger called for further efforts. In addition to, in the meantime, ongoing software updates for newer diesel cars and the retrofitting of older models with catalysts is necessary. The legal requirements were met.
Air pollution with nitrogen oxide remains in many German cities high
In the case of fine dust, the limit value in 2018 and was exceeded only at one measuring station – at almost 80 percent of the nationwide 374 control by the world health organization recommended value has been set, but exceeded them. Also small towns and rural areas were affected. “There is a need for further efforts to reduce the health risk due to fine dust,” said the UBA.
The Central wood is the authority’s view combustion in private households, as well as the abrasion of tyres, brakes and clutches of cars. In addition, agriculture should be involved in the efforts. They produce ammonia and other gaseous substances that contribute, as a Precursor to fine particle formation.
Health risks from nitrogen oxides
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) belong to the upper group of the oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Nitrogen oxides irritate the eyes and respiratory tract. The problem is the gases, especially for sensitive or damaged people such as asthmatics and the Elderly. Nitrogen oxides cause irritation to mucous membranes in the respiratory tract and the lungs. The UBA makes the pollutants in the air for around 6000 premature deaths due to cardiovascular diseases in Germany alone in 2014, responsible.
According to the EU-limit values for the General load of the ambient air an hour value of 200 micrograms of NOx per cubic metre must be achieved for a maximum of 18 Times a year. The limit value annual average for NOx is 40 micrograms. Much higher limits apply in Germany, in the workplace, where up to 950 micrograms are allowed. This value is on a time-limited exposure of a healthy employee – the values of the ambient air include, however, all people with.
