Elevated ozone concentrations in northern Portugal surpass the secure limit, prompting a health warning
High Ozone Levels Pose Health Risks in Northern Portugal
A state of alert has been declared in the northern region of Portugal due to high levels of tropospheric ozone, a pollutant that negatively affects human health. The North Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) issued a warning about the high ozone levels on 3 August.
Tropospheric ozone, also known as ground-level ozone, primarily irritates and damages the respiratory system. It can cause difficulty breathing, aggravate respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), increase susceptibility to respiratory infections, and may decrease lung function over time.
The CCDR advises sensitive individuals, such as children, the elderly, asthmatics, and people with respiratory problems, to avoid inhaling large amounts of polluted air during the hottest part of the day. This is particularly important in the north of Portugal, where the largest active fires are currently located, contributing to the high ozone levels.
Risk factors for ozone-related health issues include people with pre-existing heart or lung conditions, outdoor athletes and workers, and populations living in urban or industrial areas. Climate change exacerbates the problem by increasing ozone formation and altering pollen seasons, intensifying respiratory allergic conditions alongside ozone exposure.
The concentration of ozone at the Burgães station in Santo Tirto was 186 micrograms per cubic meter, exceeding the public safety threshold. This coincides with a period of high temperatures in Portugal, and the authorities have declared a state of alert due to the heatwave until Thursday.
Vulnerable individuals should reduce physical activity outdoors and seek medical assistance if they experience symptoms of pollution exposure. Smokers should also reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke during high ozone levels.
Ozone is a secondary pollutant, not emitted directly by any source but formed through photochemical reactions. This means that efforts to reduce ozone precursors, such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, are crucial to controlling exposure on high-ozone days.
[1] World Health Organization. (2021). Air quality and health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/air-quality-and-health
[2] Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). Ground-level ozone. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/ozone-pollution
[3] European Environmental Agency. (2021). Air quality in Europe. Retrieved from https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/air/air-quality
[4] Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2018). Global warming of 1.5°C. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/
[5] European Commission. (2021). Air quality in Europe. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/index_en.htm
- The high ozone levels in northern Portugal, a pollutant typically linked to science and environmental-science, pose health risks and can exacerbate mental-health issues such as anxiety and depression due to the associated stress and discomfort.
- To maintain overall health-and-wellness, the World Health Organization recommends avoiding prolonged exposure to high ozone levels, particularly during fitness-and-exercise activities, as it might lead to respiratory problems and decreased lung function.
- Climate-change, as indicated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, intensifies ozone formation and alters pollen seasons, leading to increased cases of environmental-science related health concerns and extending the risk period for health-and-wellness issues in the future.
