A detailed analysis will follow in the summer of 2025. The ozone pollution is comparable to that since 2020 and lower than in the years before. The ozone information threshold was exceeded on two days at six measuring stations in Northeast Austria.

In 2023, this was the case on six days at eleven measuring stations, and in 2022 on six days at ten locations. The target value for the protection of human health according to the Ozone Act was exceeded on average at 14 measuring stations over the period 2022 to 2024. Exceedances according to the IG-L (Air Pollution Control Act) were also recorded for the pollutant sulfur dioxide: The short-term limit was exceeded at four measuring stations due to cross-border pollutant transport and incidents in industrial companies, in 2023 there were two locations, the UBA reported on Monday.

Mild Weather in Winter Had a Positive Effect

The continuous decline in NOx emissions from road traffic and the relatively mild weather in the winter months have contributed to the comparatively low air pollutant load. The latter had a positive effect on air quality due to lower emissions from space heating and favourable dispersion conditions.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is primarily emitted by diesel vehicles. The pollution was slightly lower in 2024 than that of 2023 and continues "the decreasing trend of the last 20 years". Important factors are stricter exhaust emission limits for new vehicles and the renewal as well as the electrification of the vehicle fleet. The preliminary NO2 annual mean values show no exceedances of the EU limit value of 40 μg/m3. The limit value according to IG-L of 30 μg/m3 (annual mean value) was not exceeded at any measuring station for the first time.

For fine dust - from sources such as domestic heating, traffic, industry, but also agriculture and even desert sand carried in - the highest daily average values over 50 μg/m3 for PM10 were determined in Graz until December 29 (18 days). Thus, the limit according to IG-L for PM10 (Air Pollution Control Act; more than 25 daily average values over 50 μg/m3 per calendar year) was not exceeded at any measuring station. The limit criterion of the EU air quality directive (more than 35 daily average values over 50 μg/m3 per calendar year) for PM10 was not exceeded as in previous years. The annual average values for fine dust (PM10 and PM2.5) were significantly below the limit of 40 μg/m3 and below the level of the years up to 2018 in most federal states.

Trend of Fine Dust Pollution

Most recently, in 2010 and 2011, widespread exceedances of the IG-L limits for PM10 were registered in Austria. According to the UBA, the decline was due to more favourable meteorological dispersion conditions, such as significantly milder winters. On the other hand, a decrease in the emissions of PM10 and precursor substances of secondary particles was noticeable both in Austria and in neighbouring countries.

New EU Directive for Air Quality

Air pollution harms health at significantly lower concentrations than the legal limits, according to the UBA. On December 10, the new EU directive for air quality came into force. It provides for lower limit and target values, including for fine dust, ozone and nitrogen dioxide, which must be complied with from 2030. Because although the pollution has decreased, the current WHO guidelines for fine dust, ozone and nitrogen dioxide are still exceeded in large parts of Austria.

(APA/Red)

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