How does air quality change with the arrival of warmer seasons?

The summer season is upon us

During the warmer months, air quality can be affected by several factors. Rising temperatures can promote the formation of harmful air pollutants that can cause respiratory problems and other effects on human health.
Intense sunlight and high concentrations of atmospheric precursors, including volatile organic compounds, can contribute to the formation of summer smog. This can be particularly evident in areas where many people travel for holidays or engage in recreational activities; road traffic and vehicle emissions can adversely affect the air we breathe. Moreover, in summer we are more inclined to keep our windows open to ventilate our rooms, and by doing so the risk of outside pollutants entering our home or office is very high indeed.

CO2 increases in crowded places

Crowded places during the summer, such as tourist resorts or social events, can cause a temporary increase in air pollution.
Suffice it to say that an increase in the number of people, especially indoors, can contribute to an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air. Every time people breathe, in fact, they emit carbon dioxide, and in spaces where multiple individuals are present, cumulative CO2 concentrations can increase significantly.
In addition, in closed and crowded environments, such as conference rooms, transportation or public places, limited ventilation can cause CO2 to accumulate.
Although carbon dioxide itself is not toxic in normal air concentrations, high levels can lead to discomfort such as fatigue, drowsiness and difficulty concentrating. Finally, a disproportionate increase in C02 could encourage the accumulation of other harmful substances or allergens that in turn, could seriously impair overall air quality.

Monitoring air quality to prevent the most critical scenarios

Air monitoring is of fundamental importance for the protection of human health and the preservation of the environment.
Air quality is directly related to human health. As we know, exposure to air pollutants can cause respiratory problems, heart disease, lung damage and so on. For this reason, constant monitoring allows us to identify high levels of pollutants, enabling us to take preventive measures to protect our well-being. This is especially important for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases.
In addition, air monitoring provides crucial data for environmental management. It helps us identify the main sources of pollution and develop strategies to improve air quality.
To tackle air pollution during the warmer months, it is therefore important to make conscious choices and to know what you breathe in your living and/or working spaces on a daily basis to protect human health, the environment and to promote sustainable resource management.