Is ozone safe at ground level?

Is ozone safe at ground level?

Learn more about stratospheric, or “good” ozone. Ozone at ground level is a harmful air pollutant, because of its effects on people and the environment, and it is the main ingredient in “smog.” Learn more about air emission sources.

Is ground-level ozone regulated by the EPA?

Ozone can be “good” or “bad” for health and the environment depending on where it’s found in the atmosphere. EPA regulations help states reduce ozone levels in outdoor air. Learn more about ground-level ozone.

What ozone level is ground level?

Peak concentrations of ground-level ozone rarely last longer than two to three hours (WHO 1979). Registered average natural background concen- trations of ground-level ozone are around 30–100 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3).

What is the EPA air quality standard for ground-level ozone?

70 parts per billion
EPA’s New Standard for Ground-level Ozone Specifically, EPA revised the primary (public health) and secondary (public welfare) 8-hour ozone standards to 70 parts per billion (ppb). The previous standard, the 2008 standard, was 75 ppb. The 70 ppb federal 8-hour ozone standard became effective on December 28, 2015.

Why is breathing ozone bad?

When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation. Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections.

Why Ground level ozone is bad?

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. Ground-level ozone also damages vegetation and ecosystems.

What is the bad ozone?

Ozone occurs in two layers of the atmosphere. The layer closest to the Earth’s surface is the troposphere. Here, ground- level or “bad” ozone is an air pollutant that is harmful to breathe and it damages crops, trees and other vegetation. It is a main ingredient of urban smog.