The Generalitat has activated this Friday a preventive warning for atmospheric pollution throughout Catalonia, also in Tarragona, due to the increase of PM10 particles in the air due to the arrival of African dust. In recent hours, several stations of the surveillance network have exceeded the recommended values and the forecast indicates that levels will remain high for at least the next 24 hours.
The Department of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition has specified that this preventive notice does not necessarily imply the declaration of a pollution episode, although it does activate measures to reduce emissions and lower the population's exposure. The situation will be reviewed daily based on the evolution of the records and the conditions of pollutant dispersion, which for now do not show significant improvements.
Recommendations to reduce emissions
With the activation of the notice, the Generalitat asks citizens to limit as much as possible emissions associated with mobility and energy consumption. Among the main recommendations are prioritizing public transport and reducing the use of private vehicles. It is also advised to avoid unnecessary travel, share cars when possible, and opt for efficient driving.
For short journeys, it is recommended to travel on foot or by bicycle on less busy routes. To this is added the request to regulate the use of air conditioning both in homes and in establishments.
In parallel, it is urged to adapt industrial activity and works to minimize the emission of particles. The Generalitat also advises municipalities to limit or suspend works with pulverulent materials while this situation persists.
Reinforced monitoring throughout Catalonia
Monitoring of pollution levels has been reinforced and the administration will review each day whether to maintain or deactivate the alert. The current forecast indicates that during the next 24 hours the readings will remain high, without a clear improvement in the dispersion of pollutants.
The PM10 rebound also coincides with an increase in tropospheric ozone levels detected in recent days. This Friday, these values could be especially high in areas such as Camp de Tarragona and Penedès Garraf.
Risk added by ozone
Tropospheric ozone is not emitted directly. It is generated by chemical reactions among other pollutants when solar radiation acts, which is why its levels usually increase in periods of high insolation. That behavior explains the specific monitoring in regions where higher records are expected today.
The air quality can be consulted in real time through the AireCat application and on the official environmental information channels of the Generalitat, while this preventive notice is maintained throughout the Catalan territory.