Low emission zones in Germany : A reliable measure for keeping current air quality standards?

Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz
Josef CyrysAnnette Peters

Abstract

Low Emission Zones (LEZs) were implemented as a measure for improving the quality of ambient air. As of February 2018, 58 LEZs were in operation in Germany; however they differ significantly, especially regarding their size.The effectiveness of LEZs has been investigated by dispersion modelling as well as by analysis of PM10 (particles which pass through a size-selective inlet with a 50 % efficiency cut-off at 10 μm aerodynamic diameter) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) measurement values. Recent studies show a clear trend. In sufficiently large and strictly regulated LEZs, a reduction of PM10 concentration between 5 and 10% can be shown, and at some traffic sites above 10%. The current (currently valid) limit values for PM10 were introduced in 2005, mainly due to the adverse health effects of fine particles on respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The most health-relevant PM10 particle fraction consists mainly of traffic-related particles and here especially of diesel soot particles. Therefore, the German regulations for LEZs promote using diesel particulate filters in diesel cars.Unfortunately, the evaluation of the LEZ effects is mostly restricted to PM10, a particle fraction containing only a comparatively small...Continue Reading

References

Aug 26, 2011·Inhalation Toxicology·Regina RückerlAnnette Peters
May 16, 2014·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Veronika FenstererJosef Cyrys
May 23, 2014·Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association·Josef CyrysH Erich Wichmann
Jan 23, 2015·Cancer Imaging : the Official Publication of the International Cancer Imaging Society·Martin BeeresRalf W Bauer

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Citations

May 30, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Hanns MoshammerHans-Peter Hutter

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