Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Struggle (MITECO) website 2021 Air Quality assessment report. Over the past year, the results recorded in 2020 have been maintained in terms of the number of zones where nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and PM2.5 particle overshoots have been recorded, and there has been an improvement in ozone (O3).
These data are a Slight improvement in information collected in 2019 despite recovery of mobility after the pandemic. Regarding the size of the overruns, Annual limit value of NO exceededtwo In the city of Madrid, in the Avilés region (Asturias), the daily and annual PM10 limit values ​​have been exceeded. Y, about him3Target value exceeded for the protection of health in 18 areas.
The purpose of the analysis is to give a global vision of air quality and explain how it is assessed and managed. Moreover, The report includes a climatological summary of the year and a summary of Saharan dust infestation events.With data prepared by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET).
This document, which will be notified to the European Commission before 30 September this year, details the status of each of the air quality zones according to legal values.
In this edition, the state of air quality is updated according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guide values ​​to adapt it to the new global air quality guidelines issued in September 2021 by this Organization.
Emergency situation on the island of La Palma
The results of the analyzes show that WHO guide value for carbon monoxide (CO) is not exceeded in any area annual and daily NO2 exceeds 62%, while that of air quality, SO2 is only 3%.
Before the field dust reductions, annual PM10 values ​​were exceeded by more than 75% of recipients and daily PM10 and PM2.5 values ​​were exceeded by more than 85%. His guiding values3 exceeded in almost all areas.
As in previous editions, a particular chapter effect of air quality on health. It collects the health effects of different pollutants and reflects the relationship between air quality and covid-19.
In addition, the report includes a summary of: Exceptional air quality during the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the island of La Palma in the fall of 2021.
In addition, there is a short section on regional background air quality of the EMEP/VAG/CAMP network, organizations dedicated to monitoring the chemical composition of the atmosphere on a rural scale.
Regarding the number of zones recording nitrogen dioxide (NO2) overshoots, a distinction must be made between two values: the hourly limit value and the annual limit value. Regarding the hourly limit value, the improvement in 2020, when this figure was not exceeded in any air quality area for the first time since 2004, was maintained. In 2020, in urban agglomeration Madrid.
high ozone levels
On the other hand, for suspended particles (PM10), the report includes a single exceedance of both the daily limit value and the annual limit value at Matadero station in the Asturian town. Aviles.
For particles smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), the limit value was not exceeded even before reductions in additives from natural sources. Regarding sulfur dioxide (SO2), the legal values ​​have not been exceeded.
Regarding tropospheric ozone (O3), high levels recorded in 2021 due to high insolation and emission levels of its precursors (mainly NOx and volatile organic compounds). There is a decrease in the number of areas where both the health protection target value (from 28 in 2020 to 18 in 2021) and the vegetation protection target value (from 45 in 2020 to 37 in 2021) are exceeded. 2021), thus following the downward trend outlined in 2020.
for him lead (Pb), benzene (C6H6) and carbon monoxide (CO), the situation is below the limit values. Moreover With regard to arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni), the improvement experienced since 2016 continues.In 2021, the target values ​​recorded in 2012 and 2014 for nickel or in 2015 for cadmium were not repeated.
In the case of benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), provisional results a Improvement since 2016 and the excess recorded in 2013 will not be repeated, although assessment results for the two air quality zones are not available at the time of publication of this report.
Reference report: https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/calidad-y-evaluacion-ambiental/temas/atmosfera-y-calidad-del-aire/informeevaluacioncalidadaireespana2021_tcm30-543132.pdf
Source: Informacion
