Air quality in Göttingen: Alarming fine dust values endanger health!

The current air quality in Göttingen is influenced by several factors, including the content of fine dust and ozone. A report by Göttinger Tageblatt of January 8, 2025 describes the ongoing measurements of the air quality at the measuring station in Bürgerstrasse. The fine dust particles up to PM10 per cubic meter of air are recorded.

The values measured in Göttingen show that the limit for fine dust may exceed 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, but only up to 35 times a year. In addition to fine dust, the air quality measurements also include nitrogen dioxide and ozone, whereby various limit values are set to classify the pollution: " very bad " for nitrogen dioxide over 200 µg/m³, fine dust over 100 µg/m³ and ozone over 240 µg/m³. While pollen flight and other natural factors can affect air quality, the situation in Göttingen is worrying.

air quality index and current situation

In addition to the measurements, another report by News.de from April 9, 2024 Fine dust pollution in Göttingen. The air quality index (LQI) in Göttingen is currently 119 and is classified as a risk level orange, which means that air quality is classified as unhealthy for sensitive people. The main pollutant is fine dust.

The recommendations for people with sensitive airways, such as asthmatics, include the reduction of physical activities outdoors. Fine dust, which consists of tiny pollutant particles, can cause various health effects, including inflammation of the respiratory tract and possible cardiovascular diseases. The main causes of fine dust pollution are road traffic, emissions from power plants, combustion plants and natural phenomena such as forest fires.