What is Ozone?
Corrosive gas that
lungs can’t process
O3 is a poisonous gas to humans when it is close to the
ground. In the upper atmosphere ozone plays an important
beneficial role by providing a shield from the sun’s
ultraviolet rays. Ozone at the ground level is very
harmful. Ozone is invisible and can be a problem even
when visibility is very good.
Tailpipe emissions
from automobile traffic are main contributors to ozone
pollution
Ground-level or "bad" ozone is not
emitted directly into the air, but is created by
chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and
volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of
sunlight. Emissions from gasoline vapors and certain
manufacturing operations also mix with sunlight to
create ground level ozone.
Damages Lung Tissue
Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of health problems
including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and
congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and
asthma. Ground-level ozone also can reduce lung function
and inflame the linings of the lungs. Repeated exposure
may permanently scar lung tissue. Ozone is known to
produce temporary decreases in lung capacity of 15 to 20
percent even in healthy adults.
Most prevalent in the
summer
Since ozone is produced by a chemical reaction between
sunlight and nitrogen/volatile organic compounds ozone
alerts are most common in the summer. The Phoenix area
with high heat, sunshine and heavy traffic provide the
perfect mix for ground ozone. In spite of rapid growth
and development some improvements have been made in
reducing the number of ozone pollution days through
emission inspections, improvement in mass transit and
trip reduction programs.
What should I do if
there is a Ozone High Pollution Advisory
- All children and adults with breathing problems should
avoid outdoor play and work. Everyone else should limit
time outside.
- The highest concentrations are during the
warmest part of the day usually 3pm-7pm so if you must
be outdoors plan activities earlier in the day.
- Remember during physical activity ozone penetrates
deeper into the parts of the lung that are more
vulnerable to injury.
For More
Information – Ozone and Air Pollution
http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/prevent/download/ozone.pdf
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