A study based on passive NO₂ dosimetry campaigns conducted between 2023 and 2025 provides the first detailed snapshot of air quality in Valencia, highlighting the importance of reinforcing emission prevention and control measures.
This is one of the main findings of the first report from the PREDATICS Project, coordinated by researchers at the ITACA Institute, Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). The report analyses the evolution of NO₂ levels in the city using measurements taken from more than one hundred different locations.
The results indicate that current concentrations are close to the maximum annual limit permitted by existing EU regulations (40 µg/m³), yet are twice the new threshold of 20 µg/m³ that will come into force in 2030.
For this reason, the research team emphasizes that this study represents a starting point for the continuous monitoring of air quality in the city and for assessing the effectiveness of future mitigation measures.
“The information will help design strategies that better reflect the reality of València and move towards a healthier, more sustainable urban environment. Our results show that there are still areas with high pollution levels but also confirm the importance of having accurate data to guide more effective policies,” notes the PREDATICS team.
Evolution of NO₂ Levels in the City
The report establishes a clear relationship between road traffic and NO₂ concentrations. The team therefore advocates strengthening emission prevention and control policies — particularly those related to urban traffic — to protect public health and ensure compliance with future EU regulations.
“The highest levels are recorded at junctions, roundabouts, car parks, and access roads to Valencia, while the lowest correspond to parks, gardens, and pedestrian areas,” explains Victoria Lerma, researcher at ITACA-UPV and coordinator of the project.
The study also finds that the official Air Quality Monitoring Network stations, located in areas with lower traffic density, record significantly lower values than those observed in high-traffic urban zones. Consequently, the PREDATICS team recommends complementing the official monitoring network with high spatial resolution campaigns to obtain a more accurate representation of citizens’ real exposure.
“The official stations provide only a partial picture. The project highlights the need for more detailed assessments that reflect the real conditions of the streets where people live and work,” add the PREDATICS researchers.
What is Passive NO₂ Dosimetry?
Passive dosimetry is an environmental measurement technique that employs small devices — known as passive dosimeters — to capture nitrogen dioxide concentrations in the air over a prolonged period, typically of one or several weeks.
These devices do not require electrical power and allow for the installation of numerous sampling points simultaneously. This enables a more detailed characterization of pollution levels across the city, including in areas without automatic monitoring stations.
About the PREDATICS Project
PREDATICS (Development of an Advanced ICT-Based System for Predicting and Providing Health Alerts on Air Pollution in the Valencian Community) is an R&D+i project that develops a predictive digital platform based on satellite imagery and artificial intelligence. The platform aims to forecast air pollution and issue alerts for both the public and relevant authorities.
The project is funded by the European Union through the FEDER Valencian Community 2021–2027 Fund, managed by Ivace+i Innovación.
