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First "summer smog" of 2009 warning

   

INFORMATION BULLETIN

Ref: 121/09
Date: 1 June 2009

The warm, sunny, weather across England and Scotland is likely to lead to the first summer smog episode of 2009.

Moderate ozone levels have been recorded over the last few days for much of the UK.  Current weather conditions suggest that ozone concentrations will reach HIGH pollution levels in rural parts of the East, South-East and South Coast of England later today.  Ozone is expected to reach MODERATE levels across the rest of the United Kingdom. It is expected that concentrations of ozone will reduce to MODERATE levels tomorrow.

Some people are more sensitive to ozone than others and may begin to notice an effect on their breathing. People with asthma are not necessarily more sensitive but, if affected, can use their 'reliever' inhaler. The public are being urged to take sensible precautions:

  • Avoiding exercise outdoors in the afternoon can reduce exposure to ozone.
  • Avoiding making unnecessary short car journeys wherever possible can reduce the formation of ozone.

Regular updates on levels of particulate matter (PM10), sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and carbon monoxide are available on TELETEXT (page 156), the Air Quality Information Archive at www.airquality.co.uk and Defra's freephone helpline (0800 556677), which also offers health advice to those who may be particularly sensitive to air pollution.

Notes to editors

Ground level ozone is formed when sunlight acts on nitrogen dioxide and other atmospheric substances close to the ground. The pollutants that cause ground level ozone come from a range of sources, including petrol and other fuels.

Air Quality Measurement and Forecasts

Air pollution is described as "Low (1-3)", "Moderate (4-6)", "High (7-9)" or "Very High (10)" The classifications were chosen on the basis of effects on health and are based on the latest medical and scientific research. Full details of the bands for all the pollutants are available on the Defra website.

In addition to the sources of air quality information described in the press release, the information and the air pollution forecast is also sent by e-mail, free of charge, daily to a variety of outlets including regional and national newspapers, television and radio stations, environmental groups, local authorities, and international organisations (e.g. RIVM in the Netherlands). If you would like to be added to this individual service, ring the Government's contractors at AEA Energy & Environment (Paul Willis on 0870 190 6602)

Health Advice

The following advice on health applies when air pollution is "high" or "very high"

"During episodes of air pollution experienced during the summer in the United Kingdom, levels of ozone, nitrogen dioxide and particles may be raised. Most people will experience no ill effects. Those suffering from lung diseases (including asthma) particularly if elderly should be aware that their symptoms might worsen. They may need to consider modifying their treatment as they usually do when symptoms increase, consulting their doctor if this is not effective.

People who have noticed in the past that their breathing is affected on hot, sunny days should avoid strenuous outdoor activity, particularly in the afternoon. Children with asthma should be able to take part in games in the usual way, although they may need to increase their use of reliever medicines before participating. There is no need for them to stay away from school.

Those suffering from a heart condition and who notice a change in their symptoms should get medical advice as they normally would."

Health advice is also available on TELETEXT (Page 156).

Presentation of the information

When air pollution levels are presented to the public, an overall summary is provided followed by pollutant specific information. When the overall summary is presented for each region, levels of air pollution are described as those occurring in the highest band for any individual pollutant. For example, if levels of all pollutants in a region were low, with the exception of one pollutant that was high, then in the overall summary the air pollution for that region would be described as "high".

Action individuals can take to reduce pollution.

Road vehicles are a major source of many pollutants in urban areas. Before using your car ask yourself - do I really need to make this journey? Do I really need to use the car, or could I walk or cycle?

If you must drive, switch off the engine if you expect to be stationary for more than a couple of minutes, and drive smoothly - it will save you fuel and money and you will emit less pollution. Avoid overfilling the petrol tank and spilling petrol - this evaporates and releases hydrocarbons that are toxic and form ozone.

Buy water-based or low-solvent paints, glues, varnishes, and wood preservatives wherever you can.

Avoid burning solid fuels if you can.

UK

The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland was published in July 2007. it aims to:

  • map out as far as possible current and future ambient air quality policy in the United Kingdom in the medium term
  • provide the best practicable protection to human health and the environment by setting the evidence based objectives for the main air pollutants, and
  • describe the air pollution climate in the UK to provide a framework to allow all those who contribute to air pollution, who have a part to play in its abatement, or are affected by it, to identify their role in improving air quality
  • the Strategy sets National Air Quality Objectives for 10 major air pollutants: benzene, 1,3 butadiene, carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulates (PM10 and PM2.5), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and sulphur dioxide to be achieved between 2003 - 2020. These are the same, or in some cases, tighter than EU Directive limit values.
  • UK maintained and met the objectives for 4 pollutants in 2007 and are meeting our current objectives for all air pollutants in most parts of the country - up to 99.5% in some cases. But we missed objectives for nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particulates in parts of the UK. For nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, there is slippage in all parts of the country.
  • The Strategy was reviewed between 2004-2006 to find potential new measures to generate health benefits and move us closer to meeting the objectives. The revised Strategy includes:
  • a package of new and previously agreed measures which will reduce average exposure to air pollutants for everyone, which if implemented could see an increase in life expectancy of three months by 2020;
  • The range of measures, includes
    • Incentivising early uptake of vehicles meeting European vehicle emissions standards (so called Euro-standards);
    • increasing the uptake of cleaner vehicles;
    • further reductions in emissions from ships
Europe

The Ozone Directive (2002/3/EC; third Daughter Directive) sets target values for ozone for the protection of human health and the protection of vegetation to be attained by 2010. Where the target values are not met the UK must put in place plans or programmes to attain them, except where the target values are not achievable through proportionate measures. The Directive also sets long-term objectives for ozone levels for the protection of human health and vegetation with the year 2020 as a bench-mark. The Directive also requires that the public be informed when hourly levels are above an 'information threshold' of 180 micrograms per metre cubed or a 'warning threshold' of 240 micrograms per metre cubed. .The UK complies with this requirement.

The target values in the ozone Directive were developed in line with the national emissions ceilings for NOx and VOCs, ozone precursors, set under the National Emissions Ceilings Directive (NECD).

The Ozone Directive (2002/3/EC; third Daughter Directive) sets target values for ozone for the protection of human health and the protection of vegetation to be attained by 2010. Where the target values are not met the UK must put in place plans or programmes to attain them, except where the target values are not achievable through proportionate measures. The Directive also sets long-term objectives for ozone levels for the protection of human health and vegetation with the year 2020 as a bench-mark. The Directive also requires that the public be informed when hourly levels are above an 'information threshold' of 180 micrograms per metre cubed or a 'warning threshold' of 240 micrograms per metre cubed. The UK complies with this requirement.

The target values in the ozone Directive were developed in line with the national emissions ceilings for NOx and VOCs, ozone precursors, set under the National Emissions Ceilings Directive (NECD).

On 14 April 2008 the European Council adopted the new directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe. The directive is expected to come into force this month and Member States will have 2 years to transpose it into national law. The directive consolidates existing air quality legislation, sets new standards for fine particles (PM 2.5 ), and provides some flexibility for Member States in meeting some existing standards in areas where, across Europe, there has been widespread difficulties in complying..

August 2003 and June/July 2006 Summer Smog Episodes

A short report entitled 'An estimate of the health impact of the August 2003 Photochemical episode' by John Stedman at Netcen was published on 13 January 2004. This estimated the contribution of ground level ozone and particulate matter (PM10) to the number of deaths brought forward by in the first two weeks of August 2003. The short report is available on the Air Quality Archive Website:

A report on the summer smog episode during June and July 2006 is also available on the Air Quality Archive website:

Further information is available on our Help page about downloading or reading Adobe Acrobat PDF documents.

End

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Page published: 1 June 2009