The IbizaPreservation Sustainability Observatory highlights the importance of good air quality for health on World Health Day
Ibiza, 07-04-24 – The air quality on the island of Ibiza once again showed positive results in 2023, according to an analysis conducted by the Sustainability Observatory of IbizaPreservation. This analysis was based on preliminary data from the four fixed monitoring stations of the Climate Change and Atmosphere Service of the Balearic Government on the island. The environmental organisation made this announcement in conjunction with World Health Day.
During 2023, 97.8% of the recorded data from the monitoring stations in Vila, Sant Antoni, Can Misses, and Torrent indicated nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels below 40 μg/m³, signifying an air quality rating of “very good” for this pollutant. This figure is consistent with the data from 2022, which showed 97.6% of readings classified as “very good.” Additionally, the report highlights that there were no instances in 2023 or 2022 where air quality exceeded the “poor” threshold of 201 μg/m³, in contrast to 2021, when two episodes were recorded by the Can Misses monitoring station.
In 2023, the annual average concentration of NO2 in the air was 8.15 μg/m³, well below the legal limit of 30 μg/m³ for annual averages and comparable to the 2022 average of 8.52 μg/m³. The Observatory highlights that NO2 emissions contribute to acid rain and are highly toxic to both human health and living organisms, underscoring the significance of the positive recorded values on the island.
Another toxic pollutant analysed in the IbizaPreservation Sustainability Report is sulfur dioxide (SO2), which can cause health issues such as respiratory irritation and damage to lung tissue. Like in 2021 and 2022, the 2023 data show that all values recorded by the monitoring stations indicate “very good” levels, with values below 100 μg/m³.
Ozone (O3) levels also improved during 2023. The number of episodes that exceeded the maximum daily limit of 120 μg/m³ (measured over eight-hour intervals) dropped from 31 in 2022 to 19 in 2023, representing a 38.7% decrease. Compared to the data from 2021, the reduction is 45.7%.
Episodes of ozone pollution are primarily linked to the emission of pollutants from human activities, as well as to the reaction of these emissions to sunlight and air, leading to the formation of tropospheric ozone. This ozone can accumulate in the lower layers of the atmosphere, especially in urban areas and on warm, sunny days. In other words, these episodes can also be exacerbated by natural factors, such as high levels of UV radiation and a lack of rainfall to wash away the ozone. Ozone levels can vary significantly depending on weather conditions.
It is important to note that the negative effects of exposure to elevated ozone levels include respiratory issues such as asthma and bronchitis, which can be particularly severe for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions.
Finally, regarding suspended particulate matter (PM10), the law sets a limit of 50 µg/m³, which cannot be exceeded more than 35 times per year, and a maximum annual average of 40 µg/m³. The 2023 values indicate that there were 10 instances where the daily average exceeded 50 µg/m³ at the Torrent and Sant Antoni monitoring stations—two more than in 2022, but three fewer than in 2021 (13 instances). Additionally, the annual average has decreased from 2022, dropping from 18.54 µg/m³ to 16.59 µg/m³ in 2023, with both figures remaining below the permitted maximum level. The PM10 parameter is associated with thermal power plants, vehicle traffic, and the intrusion of dust, among other factors, causing effects such as respiratory problems and erosion of buildings. In 2023, nine out of the ten measurements that exceeded the threshold were linked to episodes of dust particles from Africa.
According to Itziar Arratibel, the coordinator of the Ibiza Sustainability Observatory, “Air quality is crucial for health because inhaling atmospheric pollutants can have negative effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems of individuals.”
However, Arratibel emphasised that, “Air quality is also an important indicator of environmental health, as air pollutants can be emitted from a variety of sources, including vehicle traffic, industry, the burning of fossil fuels, agriculture, and wildfires. The presence of these pollutants can negatively impact not only human health but also water quality, soil, and biodiversity.”
For these reasons, Arratibel asserted that continuous measurement and monitoring of air quality were essential for protecting both human health and the environment.
All this data will be included in the IbizaPreservation 2023 Sustainability Report, which is currently being drafted. The project is fully funded by the Consell of Ibiza.
