Average Annual Air Pollution Levels: Model Data, 2024

The air we breathe directly affects our health and well-being. To increase transparency around air quality in the urban area and support targeted improvement measures, Berlin has developed a Digital Air Quality Map. This map offers an up-to-date, detailed overview of pollutant concentrations across the city, highlighting areas with particularly clean or heavily polluted air.

The map is based on a 50 × 50 metre grid model. Pollutant concentrations are calculated and visualised for each cell, based on 2024 annual averages for three key pollutants:

• nitrogen dioxide (NO₂),
• particulate matter PM₁₀ (particles with an aerodynamic diameter of up to 10 micrometres), and
• particulate matter PM₂.₅ (fine particles up to 2.5 micrometres).

Air pollution levels are classified into five categories, ranging from ‘very low’ to ‘high’. These categories are not based on arbitrary thresholds, but follow current recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO). Interim targets are also incorporated. They represent milestones on the path toward pollutant concentrations that, according to scientific consensus, no longer pose a risk to human health.

A look at the map reveals that air quality in Berlin varies widely across different areas and impacts people unevenly. One particularly striking feature is the mismatch between the proportion of land area and the distribution of the population:

• 48% of the urban area has low pollution levels. A good result, until a closer look reveals that these areas are largely uninhabited or sparsely populated. Only 15% of Berlin’s population lives there. Typical examples include expansive natural areas such as Müggelsee or Grunewald forest, where air quality is naturally much better than in the urban core.
• The majority of Berlin’s residents, approximately 74%, live in areas with ‘moderate’ air quality. They cover only 46% of the city, which highlights just how densely populated many of these areas are. Often, they are residential areas near busy roads, where traffic increases air pollution but concentrations remain below extreme levels.
• 6% of the urban area experiences elevated levels of air pollution; however, this affects as much as 11% of the population. These areas are typically located along major roads, at transport hubs, or in densely built-up inner-city neighbourhoods characterised by heavy traffic and limited air exchange.
• Currently, there are no areas in Berlin with very low pollution levels or zones that fully meet WHO guidelines. Even the areas with the lowest pollution still exceed the thresholds recommended by the WHO to prevent health risks.

PM₂.₅ (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter equal to or less than 2.5 micrometres) especially poses a serious risk to human health. It consists of particles with an aerodynamic diameter equal to or less than 2.5 micrometres. These particles can penetrate deep into the lung alveoli, while ultrafine particles can even enter the bloodstream and be transported throughout the entire body. The health effects associated with PM₂.₅ exposure are well documented and include both short-term and long-term impacts. In the short term, elevated concentrations of PM₂.₅ can lead to increased blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, and a higher incidence of emergency room and hospital admissions. Long-term exposure causes inflammation and oxidative stress, and increases the risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer; cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and high blood pressure; metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes; and neurological conditions including dementia.

The body of evidence is based on animal studies, experimental studies in humans, and large-scale epidemiological investigations. International institutions, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), have established a causal relationship between PM₂.₅ exposure and increased all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease. In 2021, the WHO concluded that when PM₂.₅ levels rise by 10 micrograms per cubic metre of air, the risk of overall mortality increases by 8%. The risks of death from cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, and lung cancer grow considerably as well.

Older adults, children, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions are particularly affected. To date, no safe threshold has been identified below which adverse health effects are not expected to occur. Consequently, any reduction in PM₂.₅ exposure is considered beneficial to human health.

Berlin is implementing a range of measures to reduce pollution and meet WHO targets in the long term. These address various sectors and involve different stakeholders; from individual households to the EU level.

• Low-emission zones are designed to keep especially high-emission vehicles out of the densely populated inner city.
• Speed limits* on major inner-city roads are to lower both exhaust emissions and the resuspension of particulate matter.
• The expansion of public transport* is intended to encourage people to switch to more environmentally friendly alternatives to driving.

• The promotion of low-emission heating systems* and the use of filters* in combustion systems contribute to lowering particulate matter concentrations.
• Best practises in operating wood-burning stoves* using dry wood and ensuring proper air supply can lower emissions noticeably.

• A portion of pollutants does not originate within Berlin itself but is transported from surrounding regions. Consequently, Europe-wide measures to reduce emissions are essential, including stricter regulations for industrial facilities and international transport.

Links marked with an asterisk (*) lead to sources available in German only.

The Digital Air Quality Map is much more than a simple collection of maps. It serves as a tool for guidance, planning, and communication:

• For residents, it shines a light on the air quality in their immediate neighbourhood, helping to cultivate awareness of environmental and health matters.
• For local authorities and policymakers*, it provides a data-driven basis for targeted interventions in areas where pollution levels are particularly high or where many people are impacted.
• The map also supports the evaluation of measures, such as new bus lanes or low-traffic areas, by objectively tracking changes.

Links marked with an asterisk (*) lead to sources available in German only.

The Berlin Air Quality Map is a key pillar of transparent, scientifically grounded environmental policy. It identifies the most pressing challenges, reveals the connection between air quality and different social groups, and highlights effective strategies to protect public health. With its fine spatial resolution and clear evaluation criteria, it draws public attention to air pollution, specifically in the air we breathe every day, where it is often overlooked.