Air Pollution from Ozone

Updated on 14/08/2026

Due to the deterioration of ambient air quality observed today, linked to heatwave conditions (stable atmosphere, light to moderate winds, temperatures exceeding 30°C, and strong sunshine), high ozone levels have been recorded throughout the department. For Friday, 14 August, the alert threshold is expected to be exceeded due to the persistence of the ozone pollution episode.

HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS

It is advisable to maintain usual ventilation and airing practices (the situation during a pollution episode does not justify confinement measures), and to avoid worsening the effects of this pollution by exposing oneself to additional irritants: tobacco smoke, use of solvents indoors, and exposure to pollen during pollen season.

Sensitive and vulnerable individuals

– Prioritize shorter outings and those requiring the least physical effort;

– Avoid outings during the afternoon when sunlight is strongest;

– Avoid intense physical and sports activities (which require breathing through the mouth) outdoors, including competitions; low-intensity activities indoors may be continued.

– Consult your doctor to determine whether your medical treatment should be adjusted, if necessary;

– If experiencing respiratory or cardiac discomfort, consult a healthcare professional.

General population

– Prefer shorter outings and those requiring minimal physical effort;

– Avoid intense physical and sports activities (which require breathing through the mouth) outdoors, including competitions. Activities indoors may continue;

– If experiencing respiratory or cardiac discomfort, consult a healthcare professional.

BEHAVIORAL RECOMMENDATIONS

General public

General recommendations

Avoid using generators, except when necessary.

Report maintenance or cleaning work carried out by the population or local authorities using non-electric tools (lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, etc.) or products based on organic solvents (white spirit, paint, decorative varnishes, automotive touch-up products, etc.).

For information, open-air burning of waste is prohibited all year round. This practice is punishable. Take green waste to a waste disposal site where it can be recycled or valorized.

Recommendations for your travel

Favor active modes of transport, public transit, or carpooling. Walking or cycling is not discouraged for the general population, except for vulnerable or pollution-sensitive individuals.

Companies and public administrations are invited to adjust working hours and procedures to facilitate these practices and to reduce non-essential car trips (by prioritizing audio and video conferencing, or remote work). Companies and public administrations that have implemented a PDE/PDA apply the measures outlined.

On the road, adopt smooth driving and reduce your speed on two-lane two-way roads. It is recommended to lower your speed by 20 km/h, without going below 70 km/h.

Limit heavy goods vehicle traffic passing through city centers, or reroute them via alternative routes if available, while avoiding a significant increase in travel time.

Postpone aircraft engine run-ups whose purpose is not to commence a flight.

Postpone aircraft training flight patterns, except those conducted as part of initial training.

Industry

Use enhanced pollution control systems.

Reduce atmospheric emissions, including by lowering activity levels.

Report certain COV-emitting operations: maintenance work, degassing of installations, loading or unloading of products emitting COVs in the absence of vapor recovery systems, etc.

Report certain particle or nitrogen oxide-emitting operations.

Report the restart of units previously shut down, unless necessary.

Do not use generators, except when necessary for industrial activity.

Check combustion installations and ensure pollution control devices are functioning properly.

Where applicable, Classified Installations for the Protection of the Environment (ICPE) implement the measures provided for in their operating authorization decision in the event of a pollution episode.

Agriculture

Suspend the practice of eco-burning and open-air burning of agricultural by-products.

Do not use a generator, except when necessary for agricultural activities.

More information

Health reminders

Air pollution affects health even outside pollution episodes.

However, pollution peaks may trigger the onset or worsening of various symptoms (allergies, asthma, respiratory irritation, cardiovascular and pulmonary effects, etc.), particularly in the most vulnerable individuals and in people sensitive to pollution peaks and/or whose symptoms appear or are exacerbated during such peaks.

Information and recommendation threshold: level beyond which short-term exposure poses a health risk for particularly sensitive groups within the population. For ozone, the threshold value is 180 μg/m³, averaged over one hour.

Additional information sources

http://atmonormandie.fr

<https://www.normandie.ars.sante.fr/conduite-tenir-en-cas-de-pollution-de-lair>

http://www.eure.gouv.fr/

<http://www2.prevair.org/>