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UBA: Air quality better, but not good enough - fewer cars needed
In 2021, there were once again no exceedances of fine particulate matter limits in Germany. The annual mean limit value for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) of 40 µg/m³ of air was likely exceeded at only one to two percent of traffic-proximate measurement stations. This is shown by the preliminary evaluation of measurement data from the federal states and the German Environment Agency (as of 31.01.2022) from approximately 600 measurement stations so far.
"The positive trend in air quality over the past few years continued in 2021. This is encouraging and shows that much can be achieved with appropriate and consistently implemented air quality measures. However, despite these successes, it must be borne in mind that the EU-wide limit values for particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide were set more than 20 years ago and urgently need to be adjusted to the latest scientific findings on the health impacts of air pollution," said Dirk Messner, President of the German Environment Agency (UBA).
Overall, particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide pollution continued to decline. In 2020, six cities, and in 2019 as many as 25 cities, were affected by the exceedance of the NO₂ limit value. In 2021, it is expected to be less than five cities. Based on the data available so far, there was at least one measurement station in Munich and Ludwigsburg with annual mean values above the limit value. This is a situation that would have existed in rural areas ten years ago, according to Messner.
Road traffic causes poor air: Fossil or electric
According to the UBA, the main source of nitrogen oxides in cities remains road traffic. In particular, diesel cars that have not yet had to prove low emissions in real-world road operations are a concern. Due to the ongoing renewal of the vehicle fleet, more and more significantly cleaner vehicles are now operating in cities. Local measures and fewer journeys as a result of measures to contain the Corona pandemic contributed to the significant decline in NO₂ concentrations in the past two years, according to the UBA. The agency also reports continuous declines in air pollutant emissions in recent years. Thus, Germany was able to meet all its reduction commitments under the European NEC Directive (National Emission Reduction Commitments – Directive on national emission reduction commitments). Ammonia emissions were reduced by about 25 percent from 1990 to 2020, and emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides even by about 60 percent and almost 66 percent, respectively, compared to 1990, it further notes.
Urgent Update Needed: Guideline 20 Years Old
The World Health Organization (WHO) released new guidelines for healthy air in September. Based on scientific findings from the past 20 years, the agency recommends significantly lower values for particulates and nitrogen dioxide, among others.
“According to the European Environment Agency, air pollution in the 27 EU member states continues to be a significant health burden, leading to numerous premature deaths and illnesses. Particulate matter represents the greatest threat: In Germany, the European Environment Agency attributes 53,800 premature deaths in 2019 to permanent exposure to particulate matter," warns Messner, urging continued efforts.
Currently, the newly proposed values by the WHO are exceeded almost everywhere in Germany. In the fall, the EU Commission will propose an amendment to the air quality directive. The limit values should then align more closely with the WHO guidelines. Germany will support this amendment to the air quality directive, announced Messner. Germany is committed to a further significant reduction in air pollutant emissions by 2030 with the European NEC Directive. The measures planned for this are outlined in the national air quality program and will lead to a further improvement in air quality – but according to initial estimates by the UBA, this will not be sufficient to meet the WHO values.
"For truly healthy air, pollution must be further reduced nationwide and permanently. There is an urgent need for action beyond the measures already set out in the air quality program. The goal must be to make our air as clean as possible. Because the current WHO data shows: Every microgram less of air pollution is good for our health," appealed the head of the UBA.
The electrification of drives brings new challenges, as the emissions from very fine PM2.5 particulates no longer come from combustion, but rather from tire wear, which is even higher due to high torques. Here, the goal must be to drive less. Additionally, Messner appealed to refrain from burning wood and pellets in households. Another source is ammonia emissions from animal husbandry.
"In the next stage, we need to exert significantly more effort," predicts the head of the UBA.
What does this mean?
Voluntary commitment, the concept has failed again: It was only when the emission limits were drastically tightened in the wake of the diesel scandal that the car manufacturers got their act together and built diesel engines that are relatively clean even when cold and in urban traffic, although not entirely emission-free. Thus, it becomes clear again that environmental standards are a motivation and are needed if one wants to make progress in terms of climate and environmental protection, which should really be called "human protection." Especially on heavily trafficked roads, pollution levels are significantly reduced. However, there is no reason to relax, as UBA chief Messner also warned.
Besides the literal "luxury problem" of the oh-so-trendy hipster wood stoves, it is mainly about reducing urban car traffic. Because without a general reduction in the number of vehicles, further lowering of particulate matter will not be achievable.
Even electric cars produce abrasion, potentially more than combustion cars, especially if the manufacturers' power orgy continues. Here, no technical solution like the SCR catalysts for diesel will help, even though there are some initial tentative attempts with active particulate filters in the vehicle floor. In doubt, cars will become even more expensive, and the effort will increase immeasurably. It would be better if emissions, be it CO2, nitrogen oxides, or particulates, did not arise in the first place. And for that, a real "system change" is needed and instead of just a shift in drive technology, a real mobility shift. As demanding as the exhaust gas cleaning of an oil burner may have been for manufacturers, the real challenge for society as a whole is yet to come. The advantage: improving the micro-climate in the cities simultaneously improves the macro-climate on the planet. It's time to dust off and restock our toolkit.
Translated automatically from German.
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