With heat waves expected to soar incredible levels this month, many locals and tourists in Australia have been warned to stay alert and cautious. Just this week there had been reports that the air quality in Sydney is expected to reach an all-time low, sending local health authorities to a frenzy about reminding residents to stay cautious.
According to a report from Huffington Post, the quality of air in the region has been recorded to have beyond comfortable levels of air pollution. It has also been indicated that the poor air quality is largely attributed to the high ozone levels.
Exhaust from industrial fumes and cars that get released in the atmosphere are collectively known as ozone pollution. Ground level ozone are chemical reactions between oxides of Nitrogen in combination with what is known as volatile organic compounds, as explained by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The addition of sunlight, particularly warm temperatures during this time of the year, makes this chemical reaction much worse. Presence of the by-products of this chemical reaction makes it difficult for people to breathe, particularly those that are suffering from lung disorders.
A report from the Guardian has indicated that the local health authorities, the New South Wales Health office, are expecting the temperatures in Sydney to reach about 38 degrees Celsius this week. Since the condition of ground level ozone gets worse at high temperatures, they have issued health warnings to anyone with a lung or respiratory problems such as asthma and pneumonia. There are instructions that they must take medication as necessary and follow their health plans accordingly
Just last November, a situation of almost a similar kind haunted Australia as thunder-triggered asthma has claimed the lives of a considerable number of people, as CNN reports. Although this event is not entirely caused by air-pollution, both locals and tourists are still expected to be in their best caution.
