Fireworks and Air Quality Crisis in Bavaria

The aftermath of New Year's Eve fireworks in Bavaria has resulted in alarming levels of fine dust pollution. Cities like Nuremberg and Augsburg recorded unprecedented values, with Nuremberg reaching a staggering 2,248 micrograms per cubic meter.

Other cities, including Munich, Fürth, Schwabach, and Würzburg, also faced significant air quality issues, with daily limits exceeded at multiple monitoring stations. Environmental concerns have prompted calls from Greens and police unions for stricter regulations on firecrackers, particularly to combat the risks posed by illegal pyrotechnics and professional fireworks in private hands.

There is an urgent demand for a security partnership between Bavaria and the Czech Republic to prevent the import of illegal fireworks. With 297 reported injuries and numerous violations of firework bans, the need for comprehensive measures to address this growing environmental crisis has never been more vital.