'Moderate' ozone pollution to hit the city over the weekend
Shanghai will encounter a bout of moderate air pollution over the weekend with ozone (O3) being the major pollutant, the Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center said today.
It said scorching weather and a lack of wind are the main contributing factors.
Friday is forecast to be "slightly polluted" with an air quality index (AQI) of between 95 and 145. By Saturday, the index will rise to between 160 and 180, falling into the category of "moderately polluted." The situation will last till at least Sunday.
“Lack of wind has led to the accumulation of local pollutants, and the continuous hot weather worsened the situation,” a staff at the monitoring center told Shanghai Daily.
Accompanied by the heat wave in Shanghai which started earlier this month, slight air pollution has been frequently reported this week. The density of ozone usually drops in the evening, so citizens are suggested to avoid outdoor activities during the day time.
Ozone has become the second major air pollutant for Shanghai after PM2.5, the tiny particles that are hazardous to health.
Pollutants of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide resulting in part from manufacturing processes can cause an excess amount of ozone, which can harm lung functions and irritate the respiratory system.
