Magdeburg (dpa/sa) - The air quality in Saxony-Anhalt is constantly improving - however, a trend towards heating with coal, wood and pellets could endanger this development. It can be seen as a success that in 2021 the measured values for particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide did not rise back to the pre-pandemic level, said the President of the State Office for Environmental Protection, Sandra Hagel, on Thursday in Magdeburg. The limit values were safely complied with at all 25 measuring stations in the country.
Environment Minister Armin Willingmann (SPD) fears an increase in pollution due to the energy crisis with high prices. Heating with cheaper coal briquettes, wood and wood pellets is widespread in the country. In 2021, a good 290,000 individual room heaters such as fireplaces, stoves and pellet heaters were registered in Germany. A good quarter is old and emits more particulate matter and soot than modern systems. These approximately 80,800 systems would have to be retrofitted or decommissioned by the end of 2024. Willingmann appealed: "Upgrade!"
