Air pollution in Brandenburg: fine dust levels are alarmingly high!

Air pollution in Brandenburg: fine dust levels are alarmingly high!

The air quality in Brandenburg an der Havel is once again causing a stir. On July 11, 2025, an alarming fine dust value of 100 micrograms per cubic meter of air was measured at the measuring station at the Werner-Seelenbinder sports field. This is well above the limit of 50 µg/m³, which can only be exceeded on 35 days per year. This means that the air quality is classified as “very poor”, which poses health risks for the population, especially for sensitive people who should avoid physical exertion outdoors. [Maz-online.de].

But what is the general situation with fine dust pollution in Germany? According to that Federal Environment Agency There have been regular measurements for PM10 since 2000 and also for PM2.5 since 2008. The good news: Annual average PM10 values ​​have fallen from 50 µg/m³ in the 1990s to 15 to 20 µg/m³. Even if the values ​​are lower in rural areas, developments show that efforts to keep air clean are having an effect.

Health effects

Not only air quality itself, but also its health effects remain a major issue. Data from the European Environment Agency shows that between 2005 and 2022, deaths in the EU due to particulate matter were reduced by 45%. However, air pollution remains the most important environmental health risk in Europe. In 2022, an estimated 239,000 people died from particulate matter, 70,000 from ozone and 48,000 from nitrogen dioxide. If World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines had been followed, many of these deaths could have been avoided. Eea.europa.eu reports on the developments and challenges for health care.

The new EU air quality regulations, in force since July 12, 2025, are intended to help further improve air quality and bring it closer to WHO standards. The aim is to achieve a 55% reduction in fine dust deaths by 2030 — a big challenge, but a step in the right direction.

The role of the weather

A particularly interesting aspect of fine dust pollution is the influence of weather conditions. In dry winters or in high-pressure weather conditions, PM10 concentrations can rise significantly. This shows that we are not only influenced by human activities, but also by our environment. The fine dust pollution from New Year's Eve fireworks is particularly significant: around 1,500 tons of fine dust are emitted every year on New Year's Eve, which increases the pollution significantly in the short term.

Whether in the city or in the country, air quality affects everyone. When asked how we can take care of our well-being and health, the best advice remains: stay informed and make health-conscious decisions, especially on days with poor air quality.