
Vienna has seen a marked decline in air quality over recent days, with fine dust particles exceeding safe limits. However, experts say it is still safe for healthy individuals to go outdoors, as long as they avoid exerting themselves.
Pollution levels in Vienna have worsened due to recent weather, the beginning of the heating season, and drifting fine dust from surrounding areas.
Vienna’s 17 air quality monitoring stations – twelve of which measure fine dust particles – report that air quality across much of the city currently ranks only as “satisfactory,” with several stations showing readings above recommended limits.
While higher levels of fine dust are typical during the autumn and winter months, they still present health concerns.
“In autumn and winter, we simply have higher concentrations of air pollutants,” environmental health expert Hans-Peter Hutter told ORF. “These tiny dust particles play a particularly significant role. This is partly due to meteorological factors but also to an increase in combustion processes,” he said, pointing to the heating season as a contributing factor.
Fine dust particles can be particularly harmful to those with respiratory sensitivities or pre-existing health conditions. “We are seeing levels you don’t want to have because they can strain people with sensitive airways or pre-existing conditions. Even in healthy people, you see impacts on lung function; they might not feel any major symptoms, but it’s clear their airways are affected,” Hutter said.
The most vulnerable groups, including newborns, pregnant women, and those with respiratory conditions, are advised to limit time outdoors. For healthy individuals, going outside remains safe, Hutter said, provided strenuous activity is avoided.
A change in the weather later this week is expected to bring some relief, with improved air quality likely as wind patterns shift.