The CCDR Centro reported that at the Estarreja station, located in the Aveiro district, an average hourly concentration of 184 µg/m³ of ozone was recorded, surpassing the established air pollution threshold.
It was noted that “the concentration level of ozone at the station under the jurisdiction of CCDR Centro in the Northwest Coastal Zone of Baixo Vouga exceeded the threshold of 240µg/m³ and 180µg/m³ (micrograms of ozone per cubic meter of air), which are the Information Threshold Value for the Population and the Alert Threshold Value for the Population, respectively, as stated in this regulation.”
The registered concentration levels “can cause harm to human health, particularly affecting sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, asthmatics, individuals with allergies, and those with other respiratory or cardiovascular diseases,” warned CCDR Centro.
The Commission advised residents in the 48 municipalities in the Centro region affected by this situation to “minimize intense physical activity outdoors (especially in open air), avoid other risk factors such as smoking or using/coming into contact with irritating products containing solvents such as gasoline, paints, and varnishes; strictly adhere to ongoing medical treatments, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.”
“Exposure to this pollutant primarily affects the ocular and respiratory mucous membranes, with potential symptoms including coughing, headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath, and eye irritation,” CCDR Centro cautioned.
The Northwest Coastal Zone of Baixo Vouga includes the municipalities of Albergaria-a-Velha, Estarreja, Murtosa, Ovar, and the parishes within the municipality of Aveiro: Cacia, Eirol, Eixo, Nariz, Oliveirinha, Requeixo, São Jacinto, Vera Cruz, Nossa Senhora de Fátima.
