The majority of Austrian measurement stations exceeded the air pollution limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the past year. Although the current, less strict EU limits were adhered to, “the air quality in Austria is far from good from a health perspective,” analyzed the Mobility Club (VCÖ) based on data from the Austrian Environmental Agency. The “air 100s” on highways should remain in place.
The WHO recommended limits were exceeded at 107 out of 147 nitrogen dioxide (NO2) measurement stations and 73 out of 75 PM2.5 fine dust measurement stations, the VCÖ reported on Monday. “Thanks to numerous measures, air pollution in Austria has significantly decreased over the past 20 years. However, the levels of fine dust and nitrogen dioxide are still too high from a health perspective,” emphasized VCÖ expert Katharina Jaschinsky.
Stricter EU Limits from 2030
“The WHO-recommended levels are massively exceeded at most measurement stations in Austria,” explained Jaschinsky. Since the current EU pollutant limits are too high, the EU has decided to reduce the limits for fine dust and nitrogen dioxide. However, these new limits will not take effect until 2030 and are still twice as high as those recommended by the WHO, the VCÖ pointed out.
From 2030, the EU limit for PM2.5 pollution will be exceeded at 29 out of 75 measurement stations. The highest pollution levels were measured in Graz, with an annual average of around 16 micrograms of PM2.5 fine dust per cubic meter of air at two measurement stations, which is three times higher than the health-recommended level. The future EU annual limit of 10 micrograms per cubic meter was also exceeded in Leibnitz, Linz, Klagenfurt, St. Pölten, and Vienna.
Air Pollution is Carcinogenic
For NO2 nitrogen dioxide pollution, the future EU limit was exceeded at 23 measurement stations. The highest pollution was measured in Vomp on the A12, followed by Graz, Vill, Enns, Linz, and Vienna at Hietzinger Kai. More than half of the nitrogen oxide pollution is attributed to traffic, especially diesel exhaust. The VCÖ called for the removal of tax breaks for diesel fuel.
“Car exhaust emissions, such as ultrafine dust, nitrogen dioxide, and others, are harmful,” explained environmental medicine expert Hans Peter Hutter from MedUni Vienna. “More than ten years ago, air pollution was classified as carcinogenic. In addition to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, there are increasing indications of effects on the brain – particularly dementia. Particles also contribute to diabetes and eczema.”
Lower Speed Limits Effective
According to the VCÖ, stronger measures are needed to improve air quality, such as faster adoption of electric vehicles. Lower speed limits are very effective and cost-efficient. “It is therefore crucial that the existing IG-L speed limits (so-called air 100s) remain in place,” the statement said. The VCÖ also criticized the government’s plan to abolish the norm consumption tax (NoVA) for small trucks as counterproductive.
