Ozone load: "Double penalty during heat peaks" for respiratory diseases, warns the Association Santé Respiratoire France

Paris – 25.05.2026: Frédéric Le Guillou, president of the Respiratory Health Association France, warned in an interview with France Inter about the health risks associated with high ozone levels during heat waves. He emphasized that these conditions represent a “double penalty” for people suffering from respiratory diseases.

Ozone is a secondary atmospheric pollutant that forms through chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds under the influence of heat and sunlight. These reactions lead, especially during heat waves, to increased ozone levels that are harmful to human health. According to the European Observatory on Climate Change and Health, tropospheric ozone disrupts human health by impairing respiratory and cardiovascular functions, which can lead to increased hospitalizations and premature deaths.

In France, respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are widespread. A study by Public Health France estimates that between 2016 and 2019, up to 40,000 deaths per year are attributable to exposure to fine particles. Furthermore, chronic exposure to fine particles and nitrogen dioxide causes tens of thousands of cases of chronic diseases such as asthma, strokes, cancer, and diabetes every year.

The effects of ozone pollution on health are particularly concerning because they not only worsen existing respiratory diseases but can also increase the risk of developing new pathologies. According to the European Observatory on Climate Change and Health, exposure to ozone is linked to worsening asthma and an increased incidence of strokes.

In view of these risks, Le Guillou highlighted the need to take special precautions during heat waves, especially for people suffering from respiratory diseases. He recommended avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest hours and paying attention to air quality alerts issued by the authorities. Additionally, people with asthma or COPD should regularly take their medications and promptly consult a doctor if symptoms worsen.

The Respiratory Health Association France calls on the competent authorities to strengthen measures to reduce air pollution in order to protect the health of the population. This includes stricter standards on industrial and transport emissions, as well as promoting initiatives aimed at improving air quality in urban areas.

Overall, the current situation highlights the urgency to bring more attention to the link between climate change, air pollution, and public health risks on the political agenda. Only coordinated actions at local, national, and international levels will achieve a sustainable improvement in air quality and thus in the health of populations.