This Friday, the Valencia City Council activated the municipal protocol of measures that must be adopted during episodes of high pollution in the city and advises, among other actions, to avoid the practice of physical exercise outdoors and the use of public transport.
On this occasion it has been launched because four measuring stations yesterday recorded a daily average of PM10 (small solid particles dispersed in the atmosphere) greater than 50 µg/m³ (micrometer/cubic meter), due to meteorological conditions that do not favor the dispersion of pollutants, reports the council.
With the data from these stations – those on Avenida de Francia, Cabanyal, Olivereta and Patraix – the city is in a Type 1 episode, which makes it necessary to activate the aforementioned protocol.
This situation implies the application of measures to inform the especially sensitive population such as the elderly, children and people with respiratory or cardiovascular pathologies, as well as people with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, and immunosuppressed and pregnant people.
The technical reports detail that the exceedances are probably due to the anticyclonic weather conditions of recent days, characterized by high pressure, high temperature and humidity, with hardly any winds.
Furthermore, according to one of the models consulted by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, today there could also be a certain contribution of Saharan air masses, although in low concentrations.
Given this situation, the City Council recommends the use of public transport when traveling, driving efficiently, smoothly and, as far as possible, without sudden stops and starts.
Likewise, the council invites citizens to minimize energy consumption and limit the burning of stubble and agricultural remains.
This information has to reach health centers and hospitals in the city, as well as nursing homes and day centers, as contemplated by the protocol that is activated while municipal services monitor PM10 levels.
The protocol will cease to have effect as soon as optimal air quality conditions are restored.
