Air pollution: Kiel plans to dismantle air filter

Over the last few months, 12 low emission zones have already been abolished in Germany, and even more cities are open to the possibility of lifting their low emission zone regulations. According to measurements, air quality has improved so much that it is no longer necessary to maintain such emission-reducing traffic measures. Now something similar is happening in Kiel. Here, however, it is not a question of abolishing a low-emission zone, since no low-emission zone has yet found a place in Kiel's urban area - but of dismantling the air filters on the busy Theodor-Heus-Ring.  

In the state capital of Schleswig-Holstein, too, the air quality limits have long since been undercut. For half a year now, the city administration has explained, the critical amount of 40 micrograms of nitrogen dioxide per cubic metre of air has been clearly undercut on site with the help of the air filters. Admittedly, the air filter system was supported by other air pollution control instruments, such as the "hanging" of some side streets and the reduction of the maximum permitted speed. But the reduction in air pollution, in the absence of an active environmental zone, was mainly due to the positive effect of the filter at the Theodor-Heus-Ring. 

Since its commissioning in October 2020 as part of the city's clean air plan, the filter has fulfilled its purpose and reduced pollutants from the traffic, thus avoiding, among other things, the need to introduce stricter measures such as a diesel driving ban on the busy traffic axis. The annual limit values for nitrogen dioxide were thus complied with. Values that should not be exceeded again this year, despite the possible abolition of the filter in autumn. This is because, according to the Kiel authorities' forecast from 2019, compliance with the limit value is expected from next year onwards, even without the air filter. "Therefore, a dismantling of the plant will be possible in autumn" - according to the city council.  

Whether the pollution levels in Kiel will really remain under control even without air filters? The same doubts arise in the case of other cities that have either already gone through with the abolition of low emission zones or are at least considering it in terms of lowering air pollution.  

In North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, air values also improved considerably last year. The annual mean value for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was below the limit value of 40 micrograms per cubic metre of air at 129 of 130 measuring stations. Only on one street in Essen, because of its immediate proximity to the motorway, was the critical limit still exceeded with an annual mean value of 45 micrograms. The abolition of the low emission zones, which have been in effect in Düsseldorf since 2009, has not yet been discussed. However, the possible abolition of the green regulations for the state capital is not considered improbable.  

Until then, it only remains to be seen what decision the city of Kiel will make. The final decision should be made in the summer.