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Baden-Württemberg: Limit values are complied with

In Baden-Württemberg, measures against particulate matter and nitrogen pollution in the air are taking effect. Ludwigsburg is the only exception.

Whether in Reutlingen, Heilbronn, Mannheim or Stuttgart: Pollutant levels have dropped everywhere in Baden-Württemberg, as the State Institute for the Environment of Baden-Württemberg shows in a preliminary report. The limit values for particulate matter of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre were met, as were the nitrogen limits of 40 microgrammes per cubic metre on an annual average. Baden-Württemberg's Transport Minister Hermann (Greens) attributes the decrease in pollutant concentrations to the numerous measures taken: For example, diesel driving bans were introduced for particularly dirty vehicle models, but the renewal of city-owned vehicle fleets also led to this success. In Stuttgart, the air has even improved so much that from mid-April they want to allow fireplaces in Stuttgart again.

The only exception is Ludwigsburg in the north of Stuttgart. There, the limit value of 40 micrograms for nitrogen per cubic metre of air was still exceeded on an annual average, even though the value could be reduced from 47 micrograms to 44 micrograms. In mid-2021, filter columns were installed in Ludwigsburg to clean the air of exhaust gases. Traffic lights are also now switched so that the flow of traffic produces fewer pollutants, but unfortunately all these measures in Ludwigsburg were still not enough to comply with the limit values. Hermann sees the main reason for this in the late introduction of the measures, which have not yet been able to take full effect. If this is true, it is only a matter of time before the limit values are also met in Ludwigsburg. Otherwise, the city will probably not be able to avoid diesel driving bans.