Air quality monitoring in Õismäe, Estonia, revealed an alarming concentration of PM2.5 particulate matter, measuring at 38 µg/m³ on the night of February 15, while the average for the year is below 5 µg/m³. Professor Marko Kaasik from Tartu University highlighted that this level of fine particulate matter significantly exceeds previous peak measurements for February, which raises concerns about the health impacts on the population. PM2.5 particles, which are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, can penetrate deep into the lungs and have been associated with various health issues including cardiovascular diseases and respiratory problems like asthma.

The European Union and Estonia have established a daily PM2.5 limit of 25 µg/m³, while the World Health Organization recommends a stricter limit of 15 µg/m³ for daily averages. Despite the peak levels observed on February 15, the average concentration for that night in Õismäe was recorded at 12 µg/m³, which is within the regulatory thresholds. However, the overall trend in February indicates a worrying increase in pollution levels, prompting public health officials to monitor the situation closely and potentially implement measures to mitigate exposure to harmful air quality conditions.