After several days of intense heat and atmospheric stabilityVarious areas of the country have recorded episodes of tropospheric ozone repeatedly exceeding the reference levels for health protection. Regional and municipal monitoring networks have activated warnings and information measures in response to high concentrations in urban and peri-urban areas.
Ground-level ozone is a secondary pollutant that forms when the solar radiation acts on precursors such as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons; unlike stratospheric ozone, which protects us from UV radiation, tropospheric ozone can cause cough, eye and throat irritation, decreased lung function and aggravate asthma and respiratory and cardiovascular pathologies.
Madrid and metropolitan area
In the Community of Madrid, the measurements reflect a sustained scenario: in fourteen municipal stations and in twenty-seven of the twenty-eight autonomous communities The target value for health protection (120 µg/m) has been exceeded3) established by the Air Quality Directive, accumulating more exceedances than desirable.
Some points of the network have stood out for their persistence: the stations of Juan Carlos I and Casa de Campo add up to 44 and 43 days respectively with records above the protection threshold, while Algete and Torrejón They have recorded 39 days with exceedances, according to the known data.
The season has started early with significant peaks: the earliest episode of exceeding the information threshold (180 µg/m3) of the series, and from July 3 the exceedances of the value of 120 µg/m were extended3 throughout much of the network during the central hours of the day, with spikes coinciding with heat waves.
European regulations establish a limit of 25 annual exceedances of the target of 120 µg/m3; therefore, the authorities insist on recommendations for vulnerable population (minors, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with asthma or COPD), such as reducing intense outdoor exertion during peak radiation hours.
At the Henares Corridor, the City Council of San Sebastián de los Reyes has communicated values above the information threshold, asking to limit physical activity outside in the bands of maximum sunshine and prioritize the public transport, in addition to avoiding refueling in full sunlight and reducing the use of solvent-based products indoors to minimize the formation of this pollutant.
Castile and León: Valladolid and the Northern Duero area
The municipal network of Valladolid (RCCAVA) has measured during seven consecutive days eight-hourly maxima above 100 µg/m3, activating the Situation 1, Preventive of the Urban Air Pollution Action Plan and the corresponding information measures for the population.
With high temperatures forecast, models point to a very high probability (around 98%) that the eight-hourly value of 100 µg/mXNUMX will continue to be exceeded3It is recommended to reduce the use of the private combustion vehicle, opt for public transport and avoid unnecessary travel during peak hours.
Given the possibility of chaining several days above the target value of 120 µg/m3, environmental entities have requested to study the activation of Situation 2 of the municipal plan, which provides Temporary traffic restrictions in the LEZ, a speed limit of 30 km/h on roads in the historic center, and reinforcement of public transport and the redistribution of bicycles to meet demand.
The council offers real-time monitoring of air quality through its website and app. VallaireThe European Environment Agency estimates that ozone exposure caused between 2022 and XNUMX deaths in XNUMX. 75 and 130 premature deaths in the province, especially affecting children, the elderly, and people with cardiorespiratory diseases.
La Air Quality Control Network of Castile and León has also issued a preventive warning for probable exceedance of the information threshold (180 µg/m3) in the atmospheric zone North Duero, with several stations approaching this level between 17:00 PM and 18:00 PM. In the province of Soria, the preventive communication affects the following municipalities:
- Alcubilla of Avellaneda
- Mirror of Saint Marcellin
- mirror
- Sourcearmegil
- Saint Mary of the Hoyas
Catalonia: Vic (Osona)
The Department of Ecological Transition has issued a notice to vulnerable population due to high ozone values in the area of Vic (Osona) with exceeding the information threshold of 180 µg / m3The main recommendation is to reduce intense outdoor physical exercise during peak radiation hours.
Ozone is a gas colorless and odorless naturally present in the atmosphere; in high concentrations at ground level it can cause cough, throat and eye irritation, chest pain and a feeling of shortness of breath. Prolonged exposure is associated with inflammation of the airways and reduced performance in outdoor activities.
Those who suffer are part of the most vulnerable groups. asthma or other respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, minors, the elderly, and pregnant women. In case of persistent symptoms (dyspnea, persistent cough, palpitations), it is recommended consult a health service.
To avoid harmful effects in the long term, the regulations set a target value of 120 µg/m3 to protect health, and defines the information thresholds (180 µg/m3) and alert (240 µg/m3) that involve increasing risks, first for vulnerable groups and then for the population as a whole.
In order to reduce ozone formation, it is advisable to prioritize the public transport compared to private vehicles, avoid refueling during the hours of greatest sunlight and reduce the use of solvents (paints, varnishes, intensive cleaners) indoors during episodes.
The measurements of Madrid, Valladolid, Vic and the Duero Norte area draw a broad episode of ozone pollution closely linked to high temperatures and strong solar radiation; following official warnings, limiting efforts during critical hours and adopting habits that reduce ozone precursors help to protect health and contain the intensity of these episodes.