A key threshold for particulate matter (PM 2.5) has been exceeded in Flanders for the first time this winter. It’s the so-called information threshold that means information about the air quality needs to be provided to the public at large. The poor air quality is due to emissions from wood-burning stoves and other pollutants, combined with foggy weather and little wind. In Brussels and Wallonia, the situation is not as bad.
For several days now, particulate matter concentrations have been high in Flanders. ‘This morning, for the first time during this smog episode, the information threshold of 35 micrograms per cubic metre (PM2.5, sliding 24-hour average) was also exceeded in Flanders,’ the Interregional Cell for the Environment (Ircel) reports.
Especially in north-western Flanders, north of the line Kortrijk-Ghent-Antwerp, poor values are recorded. In the Brussels Capital Region and the Walloon Region, the particulate matter thresholds were not exceeded. With regard to larger particulate matter (PM10) the situation is slightly better.
Use of wood stoves is being discoraged
Flanders has experienced several days of cold, foggy weather. As a result, the air pollution accumulating in the atmosphere is piling up and is unable to escape. On the one hand, there is little wind, causing particulate matter to linger, and on the other, there is temperature inversion. This means colder air is trapped in a bubble under slightly warmer air that keeps the bad air trapped.
One of the culprits is wood-burning stoves that create polluting emissions. The Flemish Environment Agency (VMM) is asking people not to burn wood to provide extra heating or to create atmosphere in the home. Burning wood can trigger a deterioration in local air quality. Other measures are not yet on the cards. No extra speed limits on the motorways are planned just yet.
Improvement on the way
Tomorrow little wind is expected, but from Wednesday onwards windy conditions will increase, and a rain zone will pass over the country. This should significantly improve air quality.
Meanwhile, we are stuck with very unhealthy air. Vulnerable groups including young children, the elderly or people with lung and heart diseases are asked not to make any strenuous physical efforts.
You can check the current air quality situation here .