Health & Environmental Effects of Ground Level Ozone

Ozone is a colorless gas consisting of three oxygen compounds. While stratospheric ozone is beneficial to the environment and people, ground-level ozone has toxic effects. Ground-level ozone is the major component of smog. It is created by the chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight. The nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds are formed from various man-made sources, including emissions from burning fossil fuels, electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors and chemical solvents. Due to the toxic nature of these air pollutants, it is important to reduce pollution by meeting local, state and federal standards by cutting emissions from vehicles, reformulating consumer products, conserving energy and carpooling.

Irritate Respiratory System

• Ozone is responsible for many respiratory illnesses such as asthma, coughing and breathing difficulties.

  According the United States Environmental Protection Agency, breathing ozone triggers a variety of health problems, including chest pains, coughing, throat irritation, pneumonia and congestion. Upon exposure, these symptoms can last a few hours and may become painful. In addition, ground level ozone can worsen bronchitis, emphysema and asthma. It reduces lung function, inflames the linings of the lungs and causes permanent lung damage with repeated exposures.

Weaken the Immune System

• Limit outdoor activities if the air quality index is poor.

  Ozone is particularly a problem for those with weak immune systems, such as young children and senior citizens. It also affects individuals who engage in outdoor activities such as competitive athletes, gardeners and construction workers. According to scientists at Duke University Medical Center, high levels of ground level ozone weaken the immune system by killing key bacteria-fighting cells. Check your local air quality index to determine the quality of the air. If ozone levels are high, limit outdoor activities.

Plants & Ecosystem

• Ozone also affects crop production.

  Ground-level ozone contributes in damaging Earth's plants and ecosystem. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it is responsible for an estimated $500 million in reduced crop production annually. Ground level ozone causes cellular damage inside plant leaves which interferes in the photosynthesis process. Because ground-level ozone damages the carbon sink role of vegetation, it causes more carbon dioxide to stay in the atmosphere which enhances the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect may increase the average global temperatures, cause a rise in sea levels, impact food production and cause an epidemic of climate-sensitive diseases such as malaria.