The EU ozone concentration public information threshold, set at 180 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), was exceeded in Flanders and Brussels on Friday, forcing the Belgian authorities to inform the public about relevant potential health risks.
Ozone concentrations reached 187 µg/m3 at Idegem, in East Flanders, and 181 µg/m3 at Neder-Over-Heembeek, in the capital, on Friday. As a result, less than 1% of the Belgian population was exposed to ozone concentrations exceeding the information threshold.
Ozone concentrations are also set to remain high on Saturday, with warm weather and a build-up of pollution meaning that there are local risks of the threshold being exceeded in the afternoon, said the Interregional Environment Unit (Cellule interrégionale de l’environnement, or Celline).
On Sunday, thundery showers are expected and consequently the risk of the limit being exceeded will be lower. However, Celine is not completely ruling out the threshold being exceeded out in places that remain sunny in the afternoon.
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From Monday, the weather will become progressively cooler and ozone concentrations will gradually return to normal values for this time of year.
Exposure to high concentrations of ozone may cause breathing difficulties, particularly during heavy physical exertion; possible irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory tract; coughing in sensitive individuals; and an increase in the frequency and severity of symptoms in asthmatic individuals.
As a preventive measure, Celine is advising people who are particularly sensitive to air pollution (children, the elderly, people with respiratory problems, etc.) to avoid any unusual or outdoor physical exercise between midday and 22:00 on Saturday.
