Portal de Lorca
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Ecologists in Action presented in the Third Municipal Council on the Environment and Sustainability Lorca its report on ozone pollution in Lorca during the summer of 2010, and has proposed a plan to improve air quality, given the increase episodes of pollution in the city, the association describes as worrying.
The environmental organization said that the legislation sets a target value for the protection of human health: ozone maximum of 120 micrograms per cubic meter for 8 hours a day (eight hour), not to be exceeded more than 25 days per calendar year Since 2010 [1].
Ecologists in Action said in his report that there have been 71 days of exceedances of the target value for the protection of human health during June, July, August and September in the town of Lorca.
During the Third Session of the Muncipal Council Environment and Sustainability Lorca, municipal officials presentadron a report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Water, which indicates that there has been 110 days of exceedances of the ozone target value for the protection of human health during the year 2010. The average value of these exceedances has been 134.9 micrograms per cubic meter.
This means that only the days of exceedances of this year already exceed the maximum allowable exceedance days by law for the next four years.
Moreover, Ecologists in Action said that the World Health Organization since 2005, has lowered the limit value for health protection of 120 to 100 micrograms per cubic meter [2]. Using the WHO criteria would increase much more number of days of exceedances of limit values of tropospheric ozone in this county.
These figures show the significant problem of tropospheric ozone pollution in Lorca.
The ground-level ozone is a secondary pollutant, complex, formed by reaction with sunlight (ultraviolet) that affects pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from vehicles and industry and compounds volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by vehicles and industrial solvents.
The highest ozone levels are recorded during periods of sunshine, especially in the summer.
The effects of ozone on public health are varied: Irritation of the respiratory system: cough, sore throat, or chest discomfort.
Reduced lung function in the lungs.
Worsening of conditions such as asthma, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Ozone can also aggravate allergic diseases
Hence, for Ecologists in Action co-ordinated action is needed between the Local and Regional Administration, acting on ozone precursor pollutants: nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from vehicles and industry and volatile organic compounds ( VOCs) emitted by vehicles and industrial solvents.
Therefore, during the meeting of the Muncipal Council Environment and Sustainability Lorca, ecologists have proposed to the City of Lorca to develop a Plan to Improve Air Quality, with measures on road traffic emissions in a Plan Sustainable mobility, all in coordination with the Regional Directors and with the support of all stakeholders in the municipality Lorca.
Ecologists in Action remember that this meeting of the Municipal Council on the Environment and Sustainability agreed to hold a specific meeting on air quality and sustainable mobility 11th of November at the Planning Department, in which the association will insist on the need for adequate planning for the resolution of such complex problems.
Source: Ecologistas en Acción
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