The smoke and smell of burning that had been prevalent in recent days have now dissipated across Luxembourg, and air pollution levels have also dropped significantly.
Authorities confirm that after a period of very poor air quality, when pollution levels exceeded recommended limits, the situation has markedly improved. Thanks to the rain and wind, air quality index readings, which were described as “miserable” just two days ago, now range from "good" to "very good", depending on the location and measuring station.
One of the main concerns was the high concentration of fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). As Michel Neumann from the Nature and Forest Agency explains, these tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, increasing health risks.
In addition, these particles often carry other pollutants, such as gaseous contaminants or heavy metals, which can be transported further by wind. If inhaled, they may reach the body and potentially cause harm.
The rainfall over the past two days has already helped to cleanse the atmosphere, effectively washing many pollutants out of the air. However, experts say it will be important to monitor how pollution levels evolve in the coming days, as this will depend on ongoing emissions, as well as changes in weather, wind, and rainfall.
Despite improved conditions in Luxembourg, the major wildfires in the High Fens region are not yet under control. Etienne Ehmann from the Health Directorate’s Health Protection Division advises ongoing caution, even though there is currently no acute risk. He warns against retracting safety recommendations too quickly, as this could lead to confusion if conditions were to worsen again within hours.
While there are no general recommendations for mask-wearing at this stage, vulnerable individuals, such as people over 65, pregnant women, or those with heart or lung conditions, may choose to wear a mask if they feel discomfort. In such cases, Etienne Ehmann recommends an FFP2 mask, as standard masks do not filter out the fine particles that pose a health risk.
High ozone levels in summer can sometimes cause throat or eye irritation, but so far this year, there have been no ozone alerts or motorway speed restrictions due to excessive ozone, despite high temperatures and dry conditions. Michel Neumann of the Environment Agency notes that although values have been high at times, they have never exceeded the official threshold, partly thanks to a more modern vehicle fleet. An alert is only issued if ozone levels rise above 180 micrograms per cubic metre.
