Observing ozone

A new Anglo-French project to study ozone pollution in the Channel region has begun, thanks to grants from

, the

and the

.

The ARMO project (Air Rives Manche Ozone) aims to understand the levels of ground level ozone in south east England and northern France. The team will also be exploring the health and ecological/agricultural impacts.

Using field measurements to provide a clearer picture of the spatial distribution of ozone, researchers will also be able to improve a French computer model that can be used to predict when high ozone episodes will occur.

In the UK, the project is co-ordinated by the National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection (NSCA), working with the Sussex Air Quality Steering Group and the University of Brighton. The French partners are Atmo Picardie and Air Normand.

A new website is being created by the NSCA to chart the progress of the project and provide up to the minute information about the effects of ozone on people’s health and the environment.