It is estimated that poor UK air quality results in approximately 50 000 premature deaths annually and costs society £8.5–20.2 billion per year (HOC 2010). Exposure to significantly elevated levels of surface ozone can cause reduced respiratory function and cardiovascular problems (WHO 2014). By using established ozone exposure-health burden metrics, anticyclonic and easterly condition enhanced surface ozone concentrations pose the greatest public health risk.Īir pollutants, such as ozone (O 3), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) and particulate matter (PM 2.5 and 10-particles with diameters of less than 2.5 and 10 μm, respectively), can have significant impacts on human health (WHO 2006, 2013). We show that the UK Met Office regional air quality model successfully reproduces UK summer-time ozone concentrations and ozone enhancements under anticyclonic and south-easterly conditions for the summer of 2006. Increased cloud cover also likely decrease ozone production rates. Cyclonic conditions and westerly flows, associated with unstable weather, transport ozone from the UK mainland, replacing it with clean maritime (North Atlantic) air masses. Easterly flows (NE, E, SE) transport ozone and precursor gases from polluted regions in continental Europe (e.g. Anticyclonic stability and light winds aid the trapping of ozone and its precursor gases near the surface. Anticyclonic conditions and easterly flows are shown to significantly enhance ozone concentrations over the UK relative to summer-time average values. In this study we composite surface and satellite observations of summer-time (April to September) ozone under different UK atmospheric circulation patterns, as defined by the Lamb weather types. In the United Kingdom (UK), peak surface ozone concentrations typically occur in the spring and summer and are controlled by emission of precursor gases, tropospheric chemistry and local meteorology which can be influenced by large-scale synoptic weather regimes. ![]() See the Activity Guides to learn ways to protect your health when the AQI reaches unhealthy levels.Air pollutants, such as ozone, have adverse impacts on human health and cause, for example, respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected. Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. Some members of the general public may experience health effects members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. AQI Basics for Ozone and Particle Pollution Daily AQI ColorĪir quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.Īir quality is acceptable. The color makes it easy for people to quickly determine whether air quality is reaching unhealthy levels in their communities. Each category corresponds to a different level of health concern. When AQI values are above 100, air quality is unhealthy: at first for certain sensitive groups of people, then for everyone as AQI values get higher. AQI values at or below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory. For example, an AQI value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while an AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality.įor each pollutant an AQI value of 100 generally corresponds to an ambient air concentration that equals the level of the short-term national ambient air quality standard for protection of public health. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. Think of the AQI as a yardstick that runs from 0 to 500. AQI is EPA’s index for reporting air quality.
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