Ozone levels in European and USA cities are increasing more than at rural sites, while peak values are decreasing

Ground-level ozone (O₃) levels are usually lower in urban centers than nearby rural sites. To compare trends in O₃ levels during the period 1990-2010, we obtained monitoring data from paired urban and rural sites from the European Environment Agency and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Ozone peaks decreased at both station types, with no significant differences between urban and rural stations. Ozone annual averages increased at both urban and rural sites, with a faster rate of increase for urban centers. The overall trend was for convergence between urban and rural O₃ data. Ozone levels exceeded the criteria established for the protection of human and vegetation health at both urban and rural sites.