Decree-Law No 102/2010 of 23 September 2010 implements Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (CAFE Directive). The CAFE Directive is a revised version of the Framework Directive on ambient air quality assessment and management (Directive No 96/62/EC of 27 September 1996), which is now part of national law. The decree-law incorporates measures to define and set objectives for ambient air quality aiming to avoid, prevent, or reduce harmful effects on human health and the environment.
To ensure clarity and transparency, Municipality started 7-day air quality sampling campaigns in Praia da Nazaré, aimed at monitoring the quality of air. This initiative will help beach users to be informed about the air quality they are breathing.
The samples provided measurements for the following components: CO (Carbon Monoxide), NO (Nitrogen Monoxide or Nitric Oxide), NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide), SO2 (Sulphur Dioxide), O3 (Ozone), BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylenes), PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) and CO2 (Carbon Dioxide).
The index varies from “very good” to “bad” for each pollutant. This is shown in the classification matrix below. It is also possible to observe the variations in the index classification ranges for the years 2001 to 2010 (The limit values remain unchanged in this year, leaving no margin for tolerance for the concerned pollutants).
Ranking of the proposed Air Quality Index in the year 2018
| Polutant/ Rating |
CO (mg/m3) |
NO2 (µg/m3) |
O3 (µg/m3) |
PM10 (µg/m3) |
SO2 (µg/m3) |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | Máx | Min | Máx | Min | Máx | Min | Máx | Min | Máx | |
| BAD | 10,0 | máx | 400 | máx | 240 | máx | 120 | máx | 500 | máx |
| WEAK | 8,5 | 9,999 | 200 | 399 | 180 | 239 | 50 | 119 | 350 | 499 |
| MEDIUM | 7,0 | 8,499 | 140 | 199 | 120 | 179 | 35 | 49 | 210 | 349 |
| GOOD | 5,0 | 6,999 | 100 | 139 | 60 | 119 | 20 | 34 | 140 | 209 |
| VERY GOOD | 0 | 4,999 | 0 | 99 | 0 | 59 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 139 |
The degree of air quality degradation depends on the worst classification among the different pollutants considered, regardless of any synergistic factors. Therefore, the IQar will be defined based on the pollutant with the worst classification. For instance, if the average values recorded in a particular area are: SO2 – 35 µg/m3 (Very Good), CO – 6 mg/m3 (Good), and PM10 – 15 µg/m3 (Good), NO2 – 180 µg/m3 (Medium) and O3 – 365 µg/m3 (Bad), In this case, the IQar will be bad due to the concentrations of ozone(O3) observed.
In July 2019, we initiated continuous air quality monitoring to enhance air quality monitoring. A collection point was set up at the municipal market in the town centre.
You can view instantaneous measurements and monthly averages on the current air quality page, or click here.