The ambient air pollution network of Hamburg (HaLm)
Results of the year 2006

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Air pollution in Hamburg

In the year 2006, high concentrations of aerosol particles smaller than 10 μm (PM10) and of ozone were measured in the City of Hamburg. Although the annual mean of PM10 at all stations was lower than the annual mean limit value of 40 μg/m³, the daily mean value of 50 μg/m³ was exceeded more than 35 times (number of allowed exceedances per year) at two traffic stations. At the traffic station Habichtstraße, 45 exceedances and at Max- Brauer-Allee, 36 exceedances were documented. Also at the other network stations there were more exceedances documented in 2006 than in 2005. The extreme weather conditions at the beginning of the year were responsible for a large number of higher particle concentrations. The high pressure systems favoured cold and stagnant weather conditions with inversions. This led to an accumulation of pollutants. At the same time the cold weather led to more emissions caused by domestic heating. The large scale background concentration was therefore higher than during a warmer winter. In addition, local emissions from traffic and/or dust intensive building activities influenced the measurements at several stations. In connection with the PM10 pollution in the city of Hamburg an action plan was already developed in 2004.

There were several ozone episodes during the summer months. On 4 days the ozone information value of 180 μg/m³ was exceeded, leading to an information of the public. This number was surprisingly high since the ozone information value had not been exceeded since 2003. Intensive ozone formation is dependent on strong sun radiation, high temperatures and high precursor concentrations (e.g. NO, NO₂ and hydrocarbons) in the air.

Another pollutant which influences the air quality of Hamburg very much is nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). The annual limit value of 40 μg/m³ is due to come into force from 1.1.2010, but until then this limit value plus an annually decreasing tolerance value (TM) (in 2006 it was 48 μg/m³) should not be exceeded. However, it was exceeded at all four traffic stations, the highest NO2 pollution was measured at the Max-Brauer-Allee with 73 μg/m³. At the Habichtstraße und Stresemannstraße even the limit value + TM (240 μg/m³ in 2006) for one hour was several times exceeded. Further measures will have to be considered in order to fulfil the requirements of the Air Quality Framework Directive and its Daughter Directives, especially in regard to staying below the limit values in 2010. Therefore the local Ministry for City Development and Environment prepared an action plan for the City of Hamburg.

The annual limit value of 5 μg/m³ for benzene which also will be valid from 2010 can already be met, even at the traffic stations.

Although there have been short periods of high ozone and PM10 concentrations, the air quality of Hamburg was in general good in 2006.

The ambient air pollution network of Hamburg

The background-stations monitor the general air quality in a larger area. They measure sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM10: particle smaller than 10 micrometer). Some stations also measure carbon monoxide (CO). The ozone stations measure ozone (O₃) and also the NO₂- und NO-concentrations. At the traffic-stations pollutants are monitored which are typical for traffic locations: benzene, NO, NO₂, CO and diesel soot.

Last but not least the instruments in a mobile truck measure pollutants in locations which are placed in a 500 by 500 m grid in order to document the air quality in a smaller scale. Alternatively, the equipment is used for screening measurements.

The table below considers not only limit values of the EU but also the annual mean value for SO₂ (from the TALuft).

Results of the year Air pollution in Hamburg 2006 (in μg/m³)

*) = limit value of the TALuft
**) = annual mean values, which are based on less than 85% of the theoretical possible values.

Number of exceedances (limit value LV + tolerancevalue) / maximal value in μg/m³

Information about concentrations of the pollutants are published in