An empirical assessment of European urban ozone: Concentrations and exposure. Summary report.

Abstract

The aim of the project is to establish a European-wide model for urban exposure to ozone in relation to NOx and VOC emissions. As a basis, internationally reported data are to be used as much as possible. Database was created for the project, assembling urban O3 and NO2 measurement data, NOx and VOC emission data, urban and regional population data, and other information such as geographic information and results of regional modeling of ozone and nitrogen species. No relationships were established between urban ozone concentrations and urban NOx and VOC emissions, however, based on relations between urban and regional ozone measurements, exposure model was suggested using the results of EMEP regional oxidant modeling. It is estimated that currently, 90% of urban population are exposed to short-term concentrations above the 8-hour air quality guideline of 120 µg/m^3 ozone.