BERLIN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Fine particle concentrations exceeding the European Union (EU) regulatory limit were monitored in German city of Stuttgart on Tuesday.
The Regional Institute for the Environment, Measurement and Environmental Protection measured 54 micrograms of fine particles per cubic meter of air in areas of the city which are heavily-affected by traffic congestion.
The measurement is beyond the current EU regulatory limit of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air for permissible concentration.
Fine particles are classified as a carcinogenic by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The excess measurements came only a day after Stuttgart sounded a "fine particles alarm," a policymaking tool unique to Stuttgart with an aim to reduce human activities aggravating urban air pollution in the winter.
Under the alarm, the use of domestic fireplaces has been prohibited for recreational purposes. Citizens have further been urged to refrain from using cars, but use public transportation instead.
