At the end of June, around 300 million people in the EU breathed ozone levels above the recommended safe limit. Among them were about 100 million children and elderly people. The highest concentration ever measured was recorded on June 27 in North Rhine-Westphalia: 233.7 micrograms per cubic meter.
Ground-level ozone forms from nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, driven by high temperatures and sunlight. It can cause respiratory problems, damage lung tissue, and trigger asthma attacks. Flossie Boyd, campaign lead at Global Witness, called it an “invisible threat” and blamed dependence on fossil fuels.
According to the European Environment Agency, in 2023 alone, more than 63,000 deaths and billions in crop damage were attributed to ozone pollution. The EU has reduced nitrogen dioxide levels, but methane – responsible for a third of ozone formation – remains largely unregulated in agriculture.
Source: www.spiegel.de
