Red alert: Potsdam's air quality shocks citizens!

Red alert: Potsdam's air quality shocks citizens!

On June 23, 2025, the air quality was recorded in Potsdam, with the focus on dangerous fine dust particles (PM10). The measuring station in the center of Potsdam provides updated data every hour, which is available around 20 minutes after it was recorded. A limit of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air may not be exceeded more than 35 times a year. This data provides valuable insight into current air quality, assessed by three main metrics: particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. In connection with the health risks, maz-online.de explains that recognized limit values ​​for these pollutants exist.

Air quality is divided into different categories: If the value is over 200 μg/m³ for nitrogen dioxide, over 100 μg/m³ for fine dust or over 240 μg/m³ for ozone, it is said to be “very bad”. Also the levels “poor” (nitrogen dioxide 101-200 µg/m³, fine dust 51-100 µg/m³, ozone 181-240 µg/m³) and “moderate” (nitrogen dioxide 41-100 µg/m³, fine dust 35-50 µg/m³, ozone 121-180). µg/m³) are relevant for the assessment. What is particularly worrying is the fact that the EU records around 240,000 premature deaths from particulate matter every year.

Recommendations for the population

Considering the air quality, urgent recommendations are made, especially for sensitive people. If the air quality is “very poor,” it is advisable to avoid physical exertion outdoors. In “poor” air conditions, strenuous activities should be reduced. In the “moderate” category, no acute risk is seen, but sensitivities may exist in certain people.

Particular attention should be paid to fine dust emissions during New Year's Eve. Every year, fireworks produce around 2,050 tons of fine dust, 75% of which has an impact on the environment on New Year's Eve alone. Fireworks smoke is largely composed of fine dust, which can be harmful to health.

Air pollution – a European problem

The health effects of air pollution are not just limited to Germany. It remains the biggest environmental health risk across the EU. According to eea.europa.eu, between 2005 and 2022, deaths from particulate matter (PM2.5) fell by 45%. The EU's overarching goal is to reduce fine dust deaths by 55% by 2030. Nevertheless, at least 239,000 people in the EU died in 2022 due to fine dust pollution above the WHO guideline.

In addition, ozone and nitrogen dioxide put a strain on public health. It is estimated that 70,000 deaths from ozone and 48,000 from nitrogen dioxide could be avoided if WHO guidelines were followed. The communities on the Luftdaten Brandenburg platform can also be informed about special measurements of ultrafine particles and thus contribute to making this important data visible luftdaten.brandenburg.de.

Overall, air quality remains a crucial issue that not only influences individual well-being, but also has far-reaching social and health impacts. Awareness of this issue must be constantly raised in order to effectively combat air pollution and maintain our quality of life.