Cross-border ozone pollution linked to thousands of deaths in Europe
Over 60% of all deaths related to ground-level ozone (O3) in 35 European countries are caused by ozone originating from other countries. Ozone forms in the troposphere as a result of interactions between sunlight and several precursor gases.
Researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health conducted studies which showed that over 60% of deaths related to ground-level ozone (O3) in 35 European countries are due to ozone originating from other countries. Ground-level ozone, which forms from the interaction of sunlight with nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, negatively affects respiratory health, leading to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and infections.
CALIOPE tracks ozone
Data from the warm season (from May to October), when O3 levels are highest, was used for the analysis. The CALIOPE air quality system, covering all of Europe and its surroundings, was utilized to track the concentrations of this substance. The system tracks both ozone and its precursors. Additionally, scientists relied on models that allowed them to determine how pollutants are transported over long distances.
It turned out that the average O3 concentration across all countries during the study period was 47 parts per billion (ppb), ranging from 34 ppb in Finland to 59 ppb in Malta. The estimated number of related deaths was 114,447, which translates to a mortality rate of 72 deaths per one million people annually. Germany, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Poland had the highest mortality burden. Southeastern countries, such as Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania, also had high mortality rates.
Germany and France are poisoning their neighbours
France was the main provider of ozone to neighbouring countries, followed by Germany. Ozone from France had a significant impact, among others, on Luxembourg (32.3% of deaths related to ground-level ozone), Switzerland (29.3%), Belgium (24.4%), and Spain (16.8%). Ozone from Germany significantly affected Luxembourg (24.2% of deaths), the Czech Republic (23.3%), and the Netherlands (21.5%).
Scientists emphasize the critical role of westerly winds in spreading ozone, pointing to a higher number of deaths in Eastern Europe resulting from imported ozone. The study results underscore the need for systematically determining the contributions of EU and non-EU countries to air pollution. The study is a first step toward achieving WHO air quality standards to prevent premature deaths and chronic diseases.
In conclusion, scientists note that climate warming will strengthen the conditions conducive to forming tropospheric ozone.
They conclude that preventing climate change is key to improving air quality and should be considered when forming long-term global policies.
