Augsburg air quality map

What information can be gained from the air quality map for Augsburg?

When the air pollution map for Augsburg is first opened from the main city page, the overall colour covering the map is green which indicates “Good” air quality. These different colours are explained in the legend at the foot of the screen. The colours range from pale green which indicates good air quality through yellow, orange, and red to purple and maroon which indicates hazardous quality. These colours are standard across the entire IQAir website.

According to this page, there are four air monitoring stations in and around Augsburg and the measurements for each station are listed below in descending order. It also informs the reader as to how many people follow each station. As a follower, you will be informed of any major changes to the current situation.

When the map is viewed in full-screen mode, a few coloured discs begin to appear. Each disc has a number on it. This is the US AQI number which is used internationally as a standard measurement so comparisons can be made between cities using the same metrics. It is endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is calculated by analysing data collected about the six most prolific air pollutants in each area.

Looking towards the right-hand side of the screen, a table can be seen which divulges more information about humidity, air pressure and wind speed. There is also a brief weather forecast as well as historic data showing the situation over the previous 24 hours.

If there are any fires burning in the vicinity, these will also be shown on the map which when looked at along with the wind speed and direction, it can be guessed whether or not the smoke will affect the city.

Is there any other information on this air pollution map for Augsburg?

The air pollution map for Augsburg is accessed directly from the main city page. Once selected, a new page dedicated to the quality of the air will open up. This reveals the various levels of pollution throughout the city and its surroundings.

Ideally, these two pages should be read together to gain the most knowledge of the current situation. During the second quarter of 2022, the air quality was classified as being “Moderate” with a US AQI reading of 53. There were four of the main pollutants measured, the most important one being PM2.5 which had a level of 13 µg/m³. This figure is quoted in microns per cubic metre. At this level, it is just over two and a half times the recommended level of 5 µg/m³, as encouraged by the WHO.

Brief advice is given as to how best minimise the risks posed by air pollution, such as closing doors and windows so the dirty air cannot get inside easily. It also suggests that people who know they are sensitive to poor air quality should reduce the amount of time they spend outside.

There is also an air quality index (AQI) forecast for the next few days which might be valuable if you are considering travel within the next few days.

Finally, there is a live city ranking which compares Augsburg to other German cities.

Can the areas of high air pollution be found on the air quality map for Augsburg?

When the air pollution map for Augsburg is opened, the coloured discs (as previously stated) will appear superimposed on each other. As the map is expanded, so the discs will start to separate. The discs with the darker colours and the higher numbers will show where the areas of high pollution are. Local people might recognise these areas as industrial zones of the location of a large production unit or power plant. It can be seen that the station in Karlstraße was the dirtiest area with a US AQI reading of 57. Depending on the time of day, the city centre may appear to be highly polluted because of the slow-moving traffic during the rush hour periods.

Is the source of the air pollution shown on the air quality map for Augsburg?

The air quality map for Augsburg shows where the most heavily polluted areas are but it does not reveal the source of the pollution.

Good air contributes to health, well-being and the protection of nature. Air pollutants can lead to acute or chronic diseases of the respiratory tract and other organs in humans. They can damage ecosystems and affect buildings and works of art. In addition to natural sources (e.g., volcanic eruptions), traffic, domestic heating and industrial and commercial processes are the main causes of air pollutants.

According to the legal requirements of the European Union, if emission limit values for air pollutants are exceeded, the member states must draw up clean air plans with suitable measures for the permanent reduction of air pollution. The local authorities are involved in the creation of clean air plans and, for example, carry out investigations into the causes, create forecasts and evaluate the effectiveness of measures such as environmental zones and the exclusion of truck traffic.

PM2.5 is the benchmark air pollutant on the air quality map for Augsburg, but what is it?

PM2.5 stands for Particulate Matter 2.5 µm (microns). These are fine dust particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 µm (= 0.0025 mm). Particulate matter consists of many different chemical components. Toxic and carcinogenic substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, plasticizers and soot. It is mainly caused by combustion processes and emissions, for example from power plants, industrial plants, vehicles and heating systems. In the interior, the fine dust pollution is additionally increased by tobacco smoke, office equipment, vacuum cleaners, etc.

PM2.5 is called “respirable” or “respirable” particulate matter because it travels deep into the airways, down to the alveoli (air sacs at the base of the bronchial tubes in the lungs). If the fine dust is deposited in the lung tissue, chronic lung diseases such as bronchitis, asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) can be triggered. Diseases of the cardiovascular system can also be the result.

Ultrafine particles can even get into the bloodstream from the alveoli and thus be distributed in the body and reach other organs.