Air quality has slightly deteriorated in recent days due to weather conditions, according to the Interregional Environment Cell (Celine).
Fine particle concentrations are particularly high in Flanders, activating an information phase for this region. Brussels Environment forecasts very poor PM2.5 quality over the next 24 hours without reaching the 35 µg/m³ threshold.
In the north of the country, the information threshold for particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5), set at 35 µg/m³, was slightly exceeded at 9:00 on Monday (36.6 µg/m³). Larger particle (PM10) thresholds were not surpassed.
No thresholds were breached in Wallonia or the Brussels Region, but air quality remains suboptimal. The Walloon Air and Climate Agency predicts the currently moderate air quality will worsen to insufficient by Tuesday.
"The high concentrations are due to primary particle emissions, secondary particle formation, and the accumulation of pollution from recent days," explained Celine, primarily due to calm weather conditions.
Since these concentrations are expected to remain high for more than 24 hours, the information phase has been activated in Flanders. This mostly affects western Flanders and the northern province of Antwerp.
People with respiratory and cardiac problems, asthma sufferers, the elderly, and very young children are advised to avoid intense physical activities such as jogging.
