How does WMO monitor pollution?
• WMO undertakes global long-term monitoring of air pollution around the world through the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) network, which consists of more than 300 stations that measure the amount of pollution (chemical and even nuclear) in the atmosphere. Data obtained are used to help assess the state of the ozone layer and climate change, and examine the effects on ecosystems and human health. Using models to discover how different types of pollution react in diverse weather patterns, WMO helps National Meteorological Services and other relevant agencies improve their public information products including air quality and UV index forecasts. Predictions provided by NMHSs concerning the transport of pollutants (nuclear, toxic substances, volcanic ash) allows for decisions to be taken for combating negative effects.
