Ozone peak on Thursday in Belgium

High ozone concentrations are expected in the coming days with a risk of exceeding the European information threshold, said Tuesday the Inter-regional Environmental Cell (Celine) in a statement. The European threshold at which the population must be informed is set at 180 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg / m³).

Relatively high concentrations have already been measured this week but the European information threshold has not been exceeded, reported Celine.

Forecasts are somewhat alarming for Thursday, with expected concentrations between 170 and 230 μg / m³. The whole country risks exceeding the information threshold, and the alert threshold, set at 240 μg / m³, may be exceeded locally. The eastern and southern parts of the country are the regions most at risk.

Depending on the ozone concentrations, the duration of the exposure, and the sensitivity of those exposed, symptoms may appear. Some of those symptoms are: breathing difficulties, eye irritation, coughing, and an increase in the severity of asthmatic symptoms.

Sensitive people (children, elderly people, etc.) are advised to avoid any outdoor exercise between 12:00 and 22:00. It is also recommended to avoid any sustained physical effort, such as jogging.

The situation is not expected to improve before the weekend.