The Generalitat has detected a significant increase in particles due to an intrusion of dust from Africa
The Generalitat has activated a preventive warning of air pollution due to the increase in particles with a diameter of less than 10 microns (PM10) in the conurbation of Barcelona and in the Vic Flat.
As reported on Tuesday by the Climate Action Departmentthe stations of the Atmospheric Pollution Surveillance and Forecast Network (XVPCA) detected this Monday a significant increase in particlesdue to an intrusion of dust from africa.
The preventive warning is the phase prior to the possibility of an environmental episode, without necessarily having to occur, and it is activated to reduce pollutant emissionsin this case the particles that are emitted due to human activities, which are added to those present in the atmosphere for natural reasons.
This notice involves indicating on the illuminated panels of the main road axes that the level of contamination is high; inform the public to prioritize the use of public transport; notify industrial activities and public works and electricity generation to activate the work protocols provided for in these cases and recommend municipalities to stop or reduce activities or works with dusty materials.
According to the Generalitat, yesterday’s average daily PM10 levels were higher than the value of 50 µg/m³ at more than one measurement station in the Special Protection Zone for the Atmospheric Environment (Barcelona and Vallès-Baix Llobregat area), and there were also exceedances of the daily limit value in the Plana de Vic Air Quality Zone.
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The 24-hour forecast indicates that the levels will remain high throughout the territory and the daily value of 50 μg/m³ could be exceeded this Tuesday, since the intrusion of African dust is expected to persist and dispersion conditions do not improve. significantly.
The General Directorate of Environmental Quality and Climate Change of the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda will monitor the levels and assess daily whether it is necessary to maintain the preventive warning, activate an episode of particle contamination, or deactivate the preventive warning .