Press releases

Good news on air quality in Aachen: At its last meeting (Tuesday, November 5), the Climate and Environment Department was able to present current figures on particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide pollution in Aachen to the Committee for the Environment and Climate Protection. In both areas, the current EU limit values are in some cases far below even at "hotspots"; in the case of particulate matter, even the significantly stricter limit values that will only apply from 2030. The intensive monitoring and improvement of air quality have a long tradition in Aachen and are due to the topographically/air-climatically challenging valley location, which makes it difficult to naturally "blow away" bad air.

Particulate matter

The measurement data for particulate matter from the State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection NRW (LANUV) is collected at two measuring stations in Aachen: on Wilhelmstraße (traffic hotspot) and in Aachen-Burtscheid (urban background pollution). The so-called PM10 value (particulate matter, diameter of fine dust smaller than ten micrometers) is determined at both stations. In Aachen-Burtscheid, the PM2.5 value (smaller than 2.5 micrometers) is also added, which is primarily responsible for the burden of disease caused by particulate matter.

For several years now, the annual average values for PM10 have been below the current limit value of 40 micrograms per cubic meter, both in the traffic hotspot and in the urban background, and are already below the limit value of 20 micrograms per cubic meter that will apply from 2030.

At the measuring station in Aachen-Burtscheid, both the PM10 and PM2.5 values, i.e. particulate matter, are determined. According to current regulations, PM2.5 values must be below 25 micrograms per cubic meter. By 2030, a limit value of ten micrograms per cubic meter will apply. This future value has also been complied with on average in Burtscheid since 2020.

The number of days on which the daily average limit value for PM10 was exceeded has also fallen sharply at both monitoring stations. In the last eight years, the number of days on which the limit value was exceeded was only in the single-digit range, in some cases zero days.

Despite the positive development, the city will continue to work on further reducing the levels of fine and ultra-fine dust in the interests of health care.

Nitrogen dioxide / NO2 pollution

According to an EU directive, the relevant limit value for nitrogen dioxide is currently 40 micrograms per cubic meter as an annual average. The main source of nitrogen dioxide pollution in urban areas is road traffic. It is also considered a precursor substance for fine and ultrafine particles. Measurements are also taken in Aachen on Wilhelmstraße and in Aachen-Burtscheid using a continuous method, automatic chemiluminescence measurement. In addition, a network of passive samplers has been established and expanded across the city since 2018. From 2018 to 2024, significantly less nitrogen dioxide was continuously detected at all measuring points. The savings are between 37 and 45 percent.

Overall, everything points to a positive effect of the measures introduced by the city and all those involved in Aachen's clean air plan - e.g. Euro 6 is gaining ground, strengthening of cycling, expansion of e-mobility, ASEAG electric buses, building renovations, expansion of the cycling and walking network, etc.). The activities that have been stepped up in recent years are now showing clear success. However, lower limits will probably also apply to this air pollutant from 2030. The measures must therefore be continued and intensified. Due to the current trend of only slowly decreasing nitrogen oxide pollution, it is likely to become more difficult to achieve further reductions in the future. The expansion of district heating, the accelerated introduction of electromobility and a further development of the idea of the low emission zone could provide further impetus here. All of these efforts also contribute to achieving the climate neutrality targets by 2030.

Further, more detailed information can be found in the City of Aachen's new council information system: https://ratsinfo.aachen.de/public/.