The smallest particles from exhaust fumes and other combustion processes can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause damage throughout the body. Recent research shows that they also attack the brain and reduce cognitive performance. In addition, free oxygen radicals formed in particulate matter are enormously dangerous.
Nitrogen dioxide pollution in Basel is clearly too high. Several measures are being taken to change this. Among other things, Switzerland's first permanent low emission zone is to be introduced.
Many cities in Europe have already taken up the fight against air pollution. In some countries, however, the air is still worryingly dirty. Especially when it comes to particulate matter, cities without low-emission zones perform extremely badly. But even those with driving bans continue to struggle against pollutants.
Last year's air quality values are causing confusion in Germany. While some cities want to stick to driving bans because the data is not reliable due to the Corona pandemic, other cities are seizing the opportunity and abolishing driving bans and environmental zones. You do not attribute the success to the pandemic, but to the mobility concepts of the cities. Is this too hasty?
The "Deutsche Umwelthilfe" continues to build up pressure on the city. Nitrogen oxide levels are too high in some places despite existing diesel driving bans. They demand that exemptions, especially for vans, be stopped.
Saharan dust caused particulate matter levels in Europe to skyrocket this week. In Switzerland, the speed limit on motorways was tightened. In France, the activation of the environmental zones was mostly too late. In some areas, they were dispensed with altogether despite the pollution.
Motorbikes are clearly too loud - that's what measurements in Stuttgart showed. Politicians and citizens are calling for an end to this. Noise protection zones like the one in Tyrol could be a solution.
The air in Germany is getting cleaner. This is also the case in Darmstadt. Despite the improvement in nitrogen oxide levels, however, the city is sticking to its driving bans for older diesel and petrol vehicles.
Environmental zones and driving bans are the result of air pollution in many countries on planet Earth. But scientists also use indicators like nitrogen dioxide for other purposes - for example, to explore space and find evidence of extraterrestrial life.
In Marseille, 2000 mobile measuring devices are being distributed to citizens to measure air pollution in the metropolis. The aim is to obtain more precise information on the improvement of air quality and the effectiveness of the environmental zone in the city on the Mediterranean Sea.
