The office of Corant GmbH in Leipzig is located in the west of the city, in the Plagwitz district, on the second floor of the office complex called BIC. In front of the windows is a partially green roof, to the left and right are other parts of the building. On the roof, we installed one of our air-Q measuring devices outside on New Year's Eve 2019/20 and, protected from the rain, took measurements.
The air-Q air analyser used measures 14 air pollutants, including PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 - i.e. particulates in three different sizes.
The results are clear: even away from the fireworks hotspots, the values for New Year's Eve particulate matter PM1 rose to a worrying 200 μg/m³. If you look at the larger particulates particles, the values are higher, as expected. This is because the larger values include the smaller particles. On New Year's Eve, the particulate matter values for particles in the PM2.5 category were 311 μg/m³, while the PM10 value rose to 343 μg/m³. For comparison: The daily limit value for outdoor air for PM10 is 50 μg/m³, the annual mean value is 40 μg/m³.
New Year's Eve particulates in Leipzig's city centre
In Leipzig's city centre(compare kachelmannwetter), the pollution was felt even more directly. Here, the PM10 value rose to 650 μg/m³ between midnight and 2 am. As in our measurement, it took a good 14 hours until the particulates pollution gradually decreased again and fell to values below the annual mean, to just under 20 μg/m³ at 3:07 pm.
Our particulates measurement(more on the measured value of particulates here) shows another interesting aspect: On the relatively warm New Year's Eve day, the particulates pollution at our office location was between 6 and 10 μg/m³ during the day. When the sun set, the first firecrackers and rockets were set off and the fireplaces were lit, the PM10 value rose to up to 60 μg/m³. The value thus already slightly exceeded the daily limit between 9 p.m. and midnight.
New Year's Day was significantly colder (approx. 3 degrees Celsius) than the previous evening (6 degrees Celsius). Now the particulates pollution caused by heating fireplaces is particularly evident: with a peak of 112 μg/m³ around 5:30 p.m. and constantly too high values of approx. 66 μg/m³.
Health effects due to particulates
particulates(PM₁ - PM₁₀) is composed of solid as well as liquid suspended particles that have a very small diameter.Depending on the particle size and composition, particulate matter can have a lasting effect on the respiratory tract and the cardiovascular system. Here, the particles irritate the respiratory tract and can cause inflammation. Depending on the composition and the pollutants bound in the particulates, allergic reactions can be caused. Carbon dust, for example, destroys the alveoli in the lungs. The smaller particles in particular also enter the bloodstream via the alveoli and thus the cardiovascular system, which they negatively affect. Some substances, such as particulates containing sulphur, increase the risk of heart attack. Other substances, such as asbestos, have a carcinogenic effect.
In addition to these effects, irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat by particulates is possible. Damage to the central nervous system by the small particles is also assumed.
How to protect yourself from high particulates levels on New Year's Eve
As long as the CO2 level in your rooms remains below 1400 ppm, you should keep your windows closed on New Year's Eve. Only ventilate properly once shortly before 0 o'clock and then leave your windows closed.
Conclusion: Highly elevated particulate matter levels in Leipzig
The measurements of New Year's Eve particulates and stove particulates make it clear: New Year's Eve particulates was particularly harmful because it degraded the air quality for many hours. Since there was neither rain nor excessive wind, the particles were not removed but remained in the air for a long time. The effects of heating with wood are also strong. However, not only on two days a year, but over weeks and months.
Would you also like to measure New Year's Eve particulates or your indoor air? Find out more about the air-Q air quality measuring device here.
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