Air pollution in Leipzig: Is your health endangered?

Air pollution in Leipzig: Is your health endangered?

Leipzig-Mitte, Deutschland - On May 26, 2025, the questions about the air quality in Leipzig are again in focus. Current measurements at the measuring station in Leipzig-Mitte show that the city is faced with the challenges of fine dust, ozone and nitrogen dioxide. The air quality is evaluated using three main values: fine dust (pm10), ozone and nitrogen dioxide. According to LVZ Cubic meters of air, the limit for PM10 is 50 micrograms per cubic meter. This value must not be exceeded a year.

The air quality is rated according to a gradual system. With values ​​above 100 μg/m³ for fine dust or 240 μg/m³ for ozone, one speaks of "very bad" air quality, while values ​​between 51 and 100 μg/m³ are classified as "bad". Sensitive people should avoid physical exertion outdoors in such conditions. With "moderate" air quality that moves between 35 and 50 μg/m³, short -term negative health effects are unlikely, but long -term exposure can be problematic.

measuring systems and data sources

The monitoring of the air quality in Leipzig is via various systems. According to opendata.leipzig.de , a dashboard is provided that information on critical pollutants such as fine dust (pm10, PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3). This data comes from official measuring points of the State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and Geology (LFULG), private companies and passive collectors. The recording takes place in various granularities, which enables citizens to understand the time development of air quality.

According to the dashboard, the data is not subject to copyright and therefore cannot be provided as an open data. However, the official data is accessible via the air data API of the Federal Environment Agency. This variety of data sources and detection methods offers a comprehensive view of the air quality situation in Leipzig.

health risks and global context

Feinstaub is not only a serious health risk worldwide. According to Goclimate.de , air pollution annually leads to around 240,000 early deaths in the EU. Fine dust consists of solid and liquid particles that are categorized in different sizes, in particular PM10 and PM2.5. These particles can have massive influence on health and are often increasingly found in densely populated areas.

The situation is influenced by human activities, especially in traffic. The NOx emissions in Germany have reduced, but they continue to represent a significant source of air pollution, as the WHO states. Children and seniors in particular are considered endangered groups that can suffer from the consequences of poor air quality.

Overall, the situation in Leipzig shows how important it is to continuously pay attention to the air quality and take suitable measures in order to reduce the stress sustainably. Especially in urban areas, the challenge remains to create a healthy living environment for all residents.