The smoke of forest fires Air quality in Galicia and surrounding areas is rapidly deteriorating, with fine particle and ozone levels well above recommended levels. The advection of smoke and high temperatures have created an unusual scenario, with repeated warnings from surveillance networks.
Environmental organizations and authorities have noted a succession of episodes of overcoming in PM10, PM2,5, and tropospheric ozone at stations in Galicia, El Bierzo, and northern Portugal. In addition to the immediate risk from particles and photochemical oxidants, experts point out that Biomass burning emits polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carcinogenic compounds that are barely monitored.
Where has the worst data been recorded and how much contamination has occurred?
The stations of Cubillos del Sil, Otero, Ponferrada and Toral de los Vados (El Bierzo), both in the city of León, as well as Laza, (Ourense) and Oural and O Saviñao (Lugo), have been exceeding the daily alert thresholds for particles for days: 80 µg/m³ for PM10 and 50 µg/m³ for PM2,5In several of them, daily averages have multiplied by three or four times those limits.
Among the highest peaks reported are: Ponferrada, with 251 µg/m³ in PM10 and 224 µg/m³ in PM2,5 in a single day, and the station Laza, , with 227 and 203 µg/m³ respectively. In addition, hourly ozone exceedances have been chained together above the threshold for information to the population (180 µg/m³) in Carracedelo and Cubillos del Sil (El Bierzo) and The Saviñao (Lugo).
El Smoke has reached cities such as Lugo, Ourense, Salamanca, Valladolid and Zamora, with specific peaks of PM2,5 classified as “harmful” to health. In León, for example, reference hourly values of around 120 µg/m³ of PM2,5, accompanied by warnings for the use of masks by sensitive individuals.
The control services emphasize that The overcomings have been going on for a week at several points, increasing cumulative exposure. Atmospheric stability, heat, and the persistence of smoke make dispersion difficult, aggravating episodes due to photochemically formed ozone.
Health: What risks it entails and how to best protect yourself
Fine particles (PM2,5) easily penetrate the respiratory system and are associated with symptoms such as eye and pharyngeal irritation, cough, chest tightness, headaches, or worsening of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. tropospheric ozone adds inflammation of the airways and a transient decrease in lung function.
Health and regional services insist that vulnerable groups—such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and patients with asthma, COPD, or heart disease—should take extreme precautions and minimize exposure. In the case of high concentrations and visible smoke, the recommendations are:
- Limit stays outside and avoid outdoor physical exercise.
- Use FFP2 masks if it is essential to go out; goggles They also help reduce eye irritation.
- Stay indoors with doors and windows closed; keep the air in recirculation mode when using air conditioning or use purifiers with HEPA filters.
- Do not light candles or smoke indoors to avoid adding household pollutants.
- If cleaning ashes, use mask, gloves and long sleeves; wash skin, eyes and mucous membranes after contact.
The authorities also recommend follow the official Air Quality Index (AQI) warnings and progress reports to adjust activities to the daily risk level.
To reduce the effects of smoke and particulate matter, It is essential to limit time spent outdoors and strengthen individual protection measures., especially during times of high concentration of pollutants.
