Heatwaves leading to ozone pollution, says WMO report

Subject :Geography

Section: Physical geography

Context:

Climate Change induced heat waves are causing wildfires. These wildfires along with dust cause a spike in air pollutants like Ozone, according to a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Report.

About Report and its findings:

The report titled 2023 WMO Air Quality and Climate Bulletin is the third in an annual series.
Released on September 7 (International Day of Clean Air for blue skies).
Report compiled by: Global Atmospheric Watch Network under WMO.
Findings:
- Heat waves along with wildfires contain several chemicals that affect: air quality, health, damages plants, ecosystem and crops, and leads to more carbon emissions.
- Short-lived reactive gases such as nitrogen oxides and biogenic volatile organic compounds lead to the production of ozone and particulate matter (PM).
- High temperature and high aerosol amount leads to formation of more particulate matters (PM).
Impact of increased ground level ozone: Reduced agricultural productivity, especially for wheat and soybean.

WHO Air Quality Guidelines:

WHO’s new guidelines recommend air quality levels for 6 pollutants, where evidence has advanced the most on health effects from exposure.
6 classical pollutants include particulate matter (PM 2.5 and 10), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO).

Global Atmospheric Watch Programme (GAWP):

An initiative of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
The Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Programme provides information and services on atmospheric composition to the public and to decision-makers relating to:
- the steadily increasing amounts of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, are impacting the climate
- the depletion of the protective stratospheric ozone layer has increased ultraviolet radiation, which can lead to more incidences of skin cancer and other diseases
- urban air pollution, especially fine particles, which is affecting human health