According to a report, the limit values for nitrogen oxides and fine dust are to be adjusted. The consequence would be driving bans in numerous places in Germany.
Munich – Do the residents of hundreds of German cities have to be prepared for drastic driving bans on their streets *? At least that’s what FOCUS Online writes. Accordingly, the background is recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), which provide for a significant reduction in “the recommended limit values for various air pollutants”.
Driving bans in Germany? WHO proposes new limit values for nitrogen oxides and fine dust
According to the news portal, the limit value for nitrogen oxides is to be reduced from 40 micrograms per cubic meter of air to ten micrograms. And: The fine dust limit value PM 10 should be reduced to 45 micrograms per cubic meter of air. The current EU limit value is 50. Furthermore, the fine dust limit value PM 2.5 is to be reduced to five micrograms. The current EU limit is 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air.
As mentioned, these are supposed to be recommendations from the WHO – not binding regulations. But: FOCUS Online continues to rely on current air quality data from the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). As a result, all 252 traffic-related urban measuring stations throughout Germany would exceed the above-mentioned guide value of ten micrograms of nitrogen oxides per cubic meter of air on an annual average.
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Even in smaller rural towns, the levels would exceed the proposed guidelines. In Germany, diesel driving bans * have caused a stir in the recent past. For example in the Baden-Wuerttemberg state capital Stuttgart, which has been struggling with fine dust problems for a long time because of its boiler location. This applies in the densely traveled districts of Bad Cannstatt, Zuffenhausen and Feuerbach as well as in the so-called Stuttgart valley basin.
Driving bans in Germany? Combustion engines in focus around the 2021 federal election
The automotive industry reacted, new diesel automobiles have fewer emissions. But the proposed WHO limit values would probably represent a new hurdle. Around the federal election in 2021, the internal combustion engine and the future of mobility are already being discussed in Germany. Until then, the fine dust problem will remain topical. (pm) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
