Pollutants and loads

Elevated concentrations of particulate matter have a very high health relevance and must therefore be reduced as quickly as possible. Fine dust consists of tiny particles, smaller than a tenth of the diameter of a hair. They enter the human organism through the lungs and can cause respiratory diseases as well as diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Large cities and conurbations are particularly affected by particulate matter. Even smaller particles, so-called ultrafine dusts, can enter the blood circulation, the heart, the liver and other organs or even the brain. For these ultrafine dusts in particular, there are currently neither limit values nor a monitoring network.

In the age of the smartphone, modern wireless networks and constant accessibility are practically a must. This is always accompanied by the question of how harmful the electromagnetic fields used by mobile communications are to health.

As things stand today, despite extensive research, there is no scientific evidence to date of any direct disease-causing effects on humans from the electromagnetic fields generated by mobile communications, either from the cell phones or from the transmission towers.

However, there are still gaps in our knowledge and thus a need for further research. Therefore, it makes sense to continue to minimize exposure to electromagnetic fields as much as possible.

Climate and weather changes can have a direct impact on human health. Climate change directly affects water, air, food and disease transmission.

Possible effects of climate change on human health arise primarily from extreme weather events such as heat waves, storms, floods, avalanches and landslides. In cities, particularly severe heat stress can lead to more cardiovascular problems and even deaths. Elderly people and people with chronic illnesses in particular, but also small children, are among the groups at risk from temperature effects. In the attached brochure from the Stuttgart Health Department "Tips for the summer heat" you will find tips on how to behave and advice on how to get through the hot season better. We have already compiled further information on the subject of  "Heat and heat protection" for you.

However, increasing exposure to cold due to winter cold spells in the mid-latitudes should also be highlighted.

Climate change can also have a negative impact on air and water quality and thus negatively affect respiratory and circulatory diseases.

The rise in temperature, changing precipitation patterns and increasing humidity also have an impact on the transmission of diseases by vectors such as mosquitoes or rodents and through contaminated water and food. Climate-associated infectious diseases include Lyme disease, TBE, malaria, West Nile or Chikungunya virus infections.