Why should we calculate complex indices of ozone exposure? Results from Mediterranean background sites

While moving towards a flux-based approach, exposure-based ozone metrics are still a practical measure for summarising ambient air quality. Ozone hourly concentrations for the period 2000-2004 from sites in the Mediterranean Italy (< or =600 m a.s.l.) were examined to define the O3 summary statistic in the area, and to determine how O3 exposure indices correlate to each other. Thirty-four of the most common O3 exposure metrics were calculated. The results show that background O3 pollution in Italy exceeds the European and North American standards. The exceedances of the target value, information and alert thresholds set by the 2002/3/CE Directive should encourage Italy to take the appropriate measures to reduce the risk. All the O3 exposure indices, except the maximum permissible ozone concentration (MPOC) for forests, point to the potential for negative effects on vegetation and human health across Italy. As indices evaluated significantly correlated with each other, we suggest use of the most biologically meaningful metric when summarizing air quality information.