The Copernicus service reported that ground-level ozone levels rose sharply in Europe as a result of the third heatwave, and that pollution peaked in Germany, France and Spain.
Unusual heat waves lead to higher mortality rates, but the causes of death are not limited to heat exhaustion alone, as high temperatures lead to record accumulation of harmful ozone near the Earth's surface.
According to experts, ozone gas in the upper atmosphere protects against harmful ultraviolet radiation. However, it is extremely damaging in the lower atmosphere, forming near the Earth's surface when pollutants react with sunlight. Therefore, it is crucial to predict increases in ozone levels and take immediate action.
The highest concentration of ozone near the Earth's surface was recorded in 2003 in southern England, Belgium, northern France, and the Netherlands, leading to the deaths of 400-600 people in the Netherlands due to air pollution. The concentration of harmful ozone at the Earth's surface increases with heat waves and tends to drift eastward.
Doctors point out that even short-term exposure to ozone can lead to respiratory problems and worsen asthma. This gas also damages plants, causing them to lose their leaves prematurely.
It should be noted that the sources of ozone in the middle of the last century were car exhaust and petrochemicals, and today its sources include pesticides, paints, cleaning products and cosmetics.
According to experts, in 2024 21.5 percent of agricultural land in Europe was exposed to high levels of ozone. Therefore, reducing methane emissions could help combat the rising ozone concentration caused by climate change and the increase in forest fires.
