Diesel scandal, driving bans, German yellow vests – not so long ago there was a bitter fight for air in German cities. Rows of measuring points recorded too many pollutants, first too much fine dust, then too much nitrogen oxide. Transport ministers wanted to transplant the measuring points, courts demanded better air pollution control plans. And now?
On Thursday, the Federal Environment Agency has the latest Air quality data presented: She is as good as she has not been for a long time. Particulate matter, for example, which was still a major problem ten years ago, has not been an issue for four years. Not a single measuring station reports more exceedances. The situation is similar with nitrogen oxide: in 2018, four out of ten inner-city measuring points still exceeded the limit values. The Federal Environment Agency now expects a maximum of five outliers for 2021, and not all stations have been evaluated yet. Landshuter Allee in Munich is still the front runner. But while five years ago an annual average of almost 80 micrograms of nitrogen oxide per cubic meter of air was measured here, in 2021 it was still 51. Europe’s limit is 40 micrograms.
In particular, improved engines and the installation of particulate filters have improved the air quality, plus, to a lesser extent, the reduction in traffic during lockdowns. All in all, this is “good news for people who live on busy streets,” says Dirk Messner, President of the Federal Environment Agency. “We now have a situation in urban areas that we had in rural areas ten years ago.” You can’t just rest on your laurels.
More than 53,000 premature deaths annually from bad air
After all, more than 53,000 premature deaths a year can still be attributed to particulate matter. However, the limit values have not been tightened for 20 years. “The message is: We should do that,” says Messner.
The World Health Organization (WHO) presented proposals for this last September. For example, it does not recommend a maximum value of 50 micrograms per cubic meter on an annual average for nitrogen oxide, but of ten. For the somewhat coarser PM10 fine dust, she has 15 in mind instead of the 40 micrograms per cubic meter that the EU currently prescribes on an annual average. For fine PM2.5 particulate matter, the WHO would even lower the limit to five micrograms – from the current 25.
Consultations on new limit values are currently underway at European level. The German Environmental Aid demands that they be quickly adapted to the recommendations of the WHO. “The limit values must be drastically reduced,” demands managing director Jürgen Resch. With lawsuits in dozens of cities and up to the Federal Administrative Court, environmental aid had fought for compliance with the previous limit values in many places.
But with stricter specifications it gets down to business, because advances in engines are no longer enough. Example of fine dust: The growing number of electric cars will mean that even less fine dust will come out of the exhaust anyway. However, more of the very fine PM2.5 particulate matter is now caused by tire abrasion on the road than in the engine. But an e-car also has tire wear. The Federal Environment Agency calls for less driving.
It is also the turn of the domestic fireplace and wood pellet heating, they are also relevant sources of fine dust. “We should refrain from burning wood,” says the head of the highest German environmental authority – and immediately admits a conflict of goals: Until now, pellet heating systems have been considered a climate-friendly alternative. Ammonia emissions from animal husbandry are also becoming a problem, they are considered another source of fine dust. But the problem could also be solved – by reducing the number of animals. “In the next stage,” says Messner, “we have to make a lot more effort.”