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

Paris – 25/05/2026: Frédéric Le Guillou, chairman of the association Santé Respiratoire France, warned in an interview with France Inter about the health risks associated with high ozone levels during heatwaves. He emphasized that such conditions constitute a “double penalty” for people with respiratory diseases.

Ozone is a secondary air pollutant formed by chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds under the influence of heat and sunlight. These reactions lead to increased ozone levels, especially during heatwaves, which are harmful to human health. According to the European Observatory on Climate Change and Health, ground-level ozone disrupts human health by affecting respiratory and cardiovascular functions, which can lead to more hospital admissions and premature deaths.

In France, respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common. A study by Santé publique France estimates that between 2016 and 2019 up to 40,000 deaths annually are attributable to exposure to fine particulate matter. In addition, chronic exposure to fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide caused tens of thousands of cases each year of chronic conditions such as asthma, strokes, cancer and diabetes.

The effects of ozone burden on health are particularly worrying because they not only exacerbate existing respiratory diseases but can also increase the risk of developing new conditions. According to the European Observatory on Climate Change and Health, exposure to ozone is associated with a worsening of asthma and an increased incidence of strokes.

Given these risks, Le Guillou stressed the need to take special precautions during heatwaves, especially for people with existing respiratory diseases. He advised limiting time outdoors during the hottest hours of the day and paying attention to air quality warnings from the authorities. In addition, people with asthma or COPD should take their medication regularly and seek medical advice immediately if symptoms worsen.

The association Santé Respiratoire France calls on the competent authorities to take stricter measures to reduce air pollution and thus protect the population’s health. This includes stricter emission rules for industry and traffic, as well as promoting measures to improve air quality in urban areas.

All in all, the current situation underlines the urgent need to place the relationship between climate change, air pollution and public health risks more strongly on the political agenda. Only through coordinated efforts at local, national and international levels can a sustainable improvement in air quality and thus the population’s health be achieved.