PM2.5

Umwelt-Indikator

Indicator: Air quality in agglomerations

A graph for three air pollutants shows the extent to which the WHO recommendations from 2021 will be exceeded on average in urban areas between 2000 and 2023. The development of the various pollutants varies. Between 2000 and 2023, values for NO2 are between 172 and 31 percent, for ozone between 44 and 32 percent and for PM2.5 between 255 and 60 percent.

The basic pollution levels in German conurbations significantly exceed WHO recommendations from 2021 for particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).In the vicinity of pollutant sources, pollution levels can even be significantly higher.The situation for NO₂ and PM2.5 has improved considerably since 2000, but the WHO recommendations for 2021 are still clearly exceeded.Ozone and PM2.5 pol... read more

Indicator: Emission of air pollutants

Graph: The development of emissions of five air pollutants and an overall index relative to the base year 2005 (=100%) can be seen. The trend of all substances decreases significantly, but ammonia only since 2014. The 2030 target (55%) seems within reach.

The averaged index of air pollutants fell by 34.4% between 2005 and 2022.The obligations of the Gothenburg Protocol and the NEC Directive for 2020 were achieved.Safely meeting the commitments of the European NEC) Directive for 2030, is a challenge for the German environmental policy.Ammonia emissions must continue to be significantly reduced to achieve this. read more

The Umweltbundesamt

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