Measurement and
modelling

Air quality monitoring

EU regulations stipulate that specific air pollution limit values set for pre-defined periods of time must not be exceeded. These limit values are based on the guideline values published by the World Health Organization (WHO) which, in turn, are determined by the latest scientific research into the effect of air pollution on human health and the environment. The limit values and the compliance dates have been harmonised with the Federal Emission Control Ordinance and implemented in German laws.

At the eastern head of the runway at Schönefeld Airport, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH has operated an air quality monitoring point since August 2011. This location, which was chosen in collaboration with the State Environmental Agency of Brandenburg (LfU), is used predominantly to measure emissions caused by aircraft taking off, vehicle traffic on the ground and handling processes on the apron in westerly wind conditions.

With the aid of the monitoring point, the concentration of typical contaminants, such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulates (PM10 and PM2.5) are continuously monitored.  Additionally, samples are collected on filters and in tubes and submitted to the State Laboratory of Berlin-Brandenburg. These samples are tested for the presence of the pollutants benzene, benzo(a)chrysen, other hydrocarbons and particulate matter. The continuously monitored values can be accessed daily on the website of the State Agency for the Environment.

Since September 2016, FBB has also been using measurement technology to record ultrafine dust. It is thus the first German airport operating company to independently collect data on this measurement parameter in the airport environment over longer continuous measurement periods.

Ultrafine dust refers to aerosols and particles with a diameter of less than 100 nm. There is currently no limit value for ultrafine dust. For this reason, the measurement of ultrafine dust is not part of a mandatory and routine immission monitoring program. Ultrafine dust is rather an ongoing topic of research and science in order to enable, among other things, a sufficient assessment of effects on human health. There is still a need for research in this area. With its UFP measurements, FBB would like to make an active contribution to the characterization of outdoor air in the airport environment and meet the public's increased interest in the topic of ultrafine dust.

Air quality data Brandenburg [German]

Air quality report [German]

Explanation of the technical terms [German]

Work meeting UFP Eichwalde [German]