Rostock air quality at a glance: Fine dust is alarming citizens!

Rostock air quality at a glance: Fine dust is alarming citizens!

In Cologne today, November 12, 2025, the question arises as to what the air quality is like in the city. At the measuring station at Holbein-Platz in Rostock, the values ​​for fine dust, ozone and nitrogen dioxide are currently being recorded in order to assess the air quality. These values ​​are important for all Cologne residents, especially in times when environmentally friendly decisions and health awareness are at the forefront.

As Ostsee-Zeitung reports, the limit value for PM10, i.e. the fine dust particles per cubic meter of air, is 50 particles. Interesting to know: This limit may be exceeded up to 35 times per year. If the air quality is poor, particularly sensitive people must be careful to avoid physical exertion outdoors. If the value is very bad, absolute caution is advised, while if the value is good, the conditions are best for outdoor activities.

Air quality and its effects

Air quality is measured not only based on fine dust, but also by measuring nitrogen dioxide and ozone. The limit values ​​for nitrogen dioxide, for example, are very poor at over 200 μg/m³, which sets off alarm bells for health authorities. In the EU there are around 240,000 premature deaths every year that can be attributed to particulate matter. A clear indication that we should care about our air quality.

What exactly does it look like in our region? The measurable values ​​are determined in hourly averages and hourly daily moving averages in order to obtain a precise representation of the current air pollution. According to current measurements, which are also important for cosmetics and agricultural companies, it is important to regularly check how air quality is developing.

Fine dust and New Year's Eve fireworks

An interesting aspect is the role of New Year's Eve fireworks in air quality. An estimated 1,500 tons of fine dust is released on New Year's Eve, accounting for 75% of the total annual pollution. This shows that, despite the frequent discussion about environmental pollution caused by fireworks, their influence is rather small compared to the overall pollution. However, the tiny particles released by fireworks are harmful to health, which should be taken into account when planning celebrations.

Weather conditions also play a significant role: inversion weather conditions can further exacerbate fine dust pollution in urban areas such as Cologne. It remains to be seen how the weather conditions will affect air quality in winter and whether Cologne residents can continue to enjoy clear, fresh breath. Whether the people of Cologne will do good business with all sorts of other festivities after the New Year's Eve fireworks is another question.

Nevertheless, there is hope - when the air quality is good, it is possible for everyone to be outside and enjoy the city, be it a walk along the banks of the Rhine or a leisurely visit to the market. So let’s stay alert and take care of our living space!