21 Feb. Poor air quality over Germany - particulate matter levels alarming
ÖDP demands consistent implementation of European air pollution control measures
(Würzburg/Berlin) - "Air pollutants are hazardous to health," says Manuela Ripa, Member of the European Parliament for the Ecological Democratic Party (ÖDP). In the last few days in particular, worryingly high levels of pollutants have been measured over Saarland, but also over Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony. The ÖDP MEP is calling for the consistent implementation of existing European laws within the EU to protect people's health.
"Weather drives toxic cloud over Germany" reported the Frankfurter Rundschau on February 21, 2025, adding that the fine dust cloud from Poland was moving directly to the eastern federal states. But there is also a particulate matter problem in western Germany: Saarland also reported increased particulate matter pollution in the air in February. The weather conditions with low air exchange led to an accumulation of pollutants in the air. Such weather conditions exacerbate the situation, but the pollution has other causes.
In the transport sector, Germany is pleased to have complied with the European air limits by 2024, but this joy is short-lived, according to the ÖDP. This is because only the outdated, not the new WHO limit values have been complied with. Traffic continues to pose a risk to air pollution control. Shipping, especially inland shipping within Germany, also poses a risk to air pollution control. Inland shipping is an environmentally friendly transportation system. However, in the opinion of the ÖDP, improvements to protect health are certainly possible here.
However, coal combustion and lower environmental regulations in Poland were particularly responsible for the current cloud of pollutants. A corresponding policy towards the neighboring country is required to prevent health hazards from being "imported by air".
Overall, the burning of fossil fuels poses a considerable health risk. The Federal Environment Agency estimates that almost a quarter of a million healthy years of life are lost due to particulate matter pollution. According to the ÖDP, children in particular are at risk from this pollution.
This is a reason for the ÖDP to push for further efforts in air pollution control. For example, the coal phase-out must be accelerated. In the heating sector, there should be an increased switch to heating technology without air and particulate pollution. Significant improvements are still required here, particularly in the transport sector.
A study by the European umbrella organization Transport & Environment shows for the first time the extent of the environmental impact of air traffic emissions. Ultra-fine particulate matter from aircraft can contribute to high blood pressure, diabetes and dementia. Restricting air traffic in particular would significantly improve air quality, especially for people living near airports.
The ÖDP is calling for special attention to be paid to the issue of air pollution control. "People's health is at stake. This must be given top priority," says the. Federal Chairman of the ÖDP, Günther Brendle-Benisch.
Source:
Federal Environment Agency, May 2024: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/daten/umwelt-gesundheit/gesundheitsrisiken-durch-feinstaub
European umbrella organization Transport & Environment; June 2024: https://www.transportenvironment.org/articles/can-living-near-an-airport-make-you-ill
About us
The Ecological Democratic Party (ÖDP) - the nature conservation party is the ecological-social party of the political center with around 7,300 members nationwide. It has around 530 local elected representatives and has also been represented in the European Parliament since 2014, currently by lawyer Manuela Ripa from Saarbrücken. The core competencies of the ÖDP are climate protection, species protection, family policy, the economy for the common good and turning away from the growth mania. The ÖDP was the first party in Germany to completely renounce corporate donations since it was founded in 1982. In doing so, the ÖDP wants to prevent any lobbying, corruption and influence, as this is the only way it can stand up for independent, courageous political concepts. The ÖDP's greatest successes to date have been its referendums. With "Save the bees" and the introduction of non-smoker protection, it was able to push through important issues for the protection of the environment and health.