Health risk due to increased ozone concentration

Warm weather causes significant increases in ozone levels

07/26/2012

The sunny weather of the last days caused the ozone levels to skyrocket and in Baden-Württemberg the State Institute for the Environment, Measurements and Nature Conservation (LUBW) has now for the first time this year „Exceeding the information threshold of 180 micrograms of ozone per cubic meter of air“ detected. This concentration can already lead to significant health problems in sensitive people.

As a result of the summerly high-pressure weather with temperatures above 30 degrees, the information threshold for the ozone concentration was exceeded in Baden-Württemberg on Wednesday, according to the LUBW. Also for the coming days, correspondingly high ozone levels are to be expected. Sensitive persons should therefore refrain from strenuous activities, such as outdoor sports, as far as possible.

Respiratory tract irritation and headache at high ozone levels
The highest values ​​were measured by the LUBW yesterday in the Mannheim / Heidelberg area with more than 200 micrograms of ozone per cubic meter of air. This significantly exceeded the information threshold. However, the burden was still below the so-called alarm threshold of 240 micrograms per cubic meter, from which a warning message on the radio is provided, as there is a general health risk. At current levels, only sensitive individuals have significant symptoms, such as respiratory and mucosal irritation, lacrimation, impaired lung function and headache. Since even on Thursday and in the coming days still higher concentrations are expected, the LUBW recommends „ozone-sensitive persons and children, to avoid unusual physical exertions and sports endurance performances outdoors, especially in the afternoon and early evening hours, since at this time of day the highest ozone levels occur.“

Population is informed about the ozone concentration every hour
As part of the current communication, the LUBW also referred to the continuous decline in ozone concentrations over recent years. Altogether the ozone load in Baden-Wuerttemberg has decreased in recent years. Not only the peak concentrations but also the exceedance days of the information threshold of 180 micrograms of ozone per cubic meter of air were continuously decreasing, according to LUBW. The alert threshold of 240 micrograms of ozone per cubic meter of air has not been exceeded since 2008, according to the agency. In order to keep the population up to date, the LUBW monitoring network provides hourly updated ozone concentration data in the afternoon and evening hours. These can be accessed both over the Internet, as well as in the TV video text and by phone. According to official figures, ozone concentrations between 120 and 180 micrograms per cubic meter of air have already been reached this morning in south-western Baden-Württemberg. If the load exceeds the informational threshold, the population will become „Followed by the news broadcasts of the SWR and other radio stations informed“, so the message of LUBW. (Fp)

Also read about ozone:
High ozone levels can damage the heart
Health: Ozone levels continue to rise
Increased ozone levels endanger your health
High ozone levels aggravate allergies
Air pollution damages children's health

Picture credits: Marica Herre