Air quality Saharan dust causes outliers in particulate matter pollution
The daily average limit values for particulate matter were only occasionally exceeded in the canton of Bern in 2023. The cause is Saharan dust, as the canton announced on Thursday.
27.06.2024, 14:26
SDA
Saharan dust was the cause of outliers at the air monitoring stations. However, due to the mineral composition of this dust, these sand particles do not pose an immediate health risk, wrote the Bernese Environment Directorate in a statement.
The legally permissible daily average limit value for particulate matter was exceeded between 1 and 2 times in the winter of 2023/24, depending on the measuring station. If the Saharan dust events are not included, the limit value is no longer exceeded at the measuring stations in the canton of Bern, the statement continued. However, it is clear that the frequency of Saharan dust events has increased.
In general, however, particulate matter pollution is decreasing. This is mainly due to technical developments and applies to furnaces, machinery and industrial plants as well as road traffic, according to the canton.
