According to forecasts published on Tuesday 30 July by the European Commission’s Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS), Europe is facing a worrying increase in surface ozone concentrations.
This increase, attributed to summer heat waves, has led to the thresholds set by the ambient air quality directives (see EUROPE 13399/15) being exceeded, posing serious risks to public health and the environment.
CAMS scientists note that high temperatures and anticyclonic conditions favour the accumulation of this pollution.
Between 29 July and 4 August, critical levels of ozone have been forecast, particularly in the Paris region, the Benelux countries, Germany and the Po valley in Italy.
Ground-level ozone exacerbates respiratory problems, especially during heatwaves.
As Copernicus points out, these episodes help us to understand the long range transport of this pollutant and to anticipate the impact of climate change. In a press release, CAMS Director Laurence Rouil calls for rapid and appropriate measures to mitigate health and environmental risks.
View the CAMS data: https://aeur.eu/f/d6s (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)