This study investigated the potential factors that contribute to frequent high levels of ozone as well as ozone episodes in Bangu, one of the most critical areas in the city of Rio de Janeiro regarding ozone levels. For 74 days in a two-year period (10.3%), the national air quality standard was exceeded. For the same period, a total of 378 days (51.8%) had ozone concentrations that were between 80 and 160 µg m. A statistical analysis of pollutant concentrations and meteorological data as well as a kinetic and mechanistic analysis of VOC reactivity showed that the high ozone concentrations did not seem to be closely related to local emissions but, rather, were related to pollutant transport and triggered by photochemical activity. The mountains in the southern and northern part of the district contribute to the increase of surface temperatures and the accumulation of pollutants. The VOC/NO ratios corresponded to a VOC-limited process.

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The air quality during the Summer 2016 Olympic Games in two Olympic zones, Maracanã (Tijuca) and Deodoro, was studied. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were collected and analyzed following method TO-15 (United States Environmental Protection Agency), during and in the days after the Games. The total VOC (C 4 -C 12 ) concentrations were 39.2-160.9 and 36.6-191.4 µg m -3 for Tijuca and Deodoro, respectively. These concentrations were lower than values previously obtained in Tijuca and other areas of the city. VOC speciation and benzene/ toluene ratios were also different as a consequence of the restrictions imposed on vehicular transit during the Olympic Games. Concentrations were discussed considering the reactivity and ozone forming potential of individual compounds. Criteria pollutants, determined by the Tijuca Automatic Monitoring Station, were also analyzed. The preventive policies were successful in decreasing the concentrations of CO and PM 10 , leading to a decrease in mean ozone levels. However, air quality indexes were not dramatically reduced, because of the increase in NO x emissions and isolated events of higher ozone levels.