Ozone
Tuesday, 03 June 2008, Written by Trouni   
Characteristics Main sources Effects on health

Highly reactive, unstable form of oxygen and one of the irritant pollutants in photochemical smog.

Formed by chemical reactions between VOC and NO2.

Ozone is also produced by some ionizers.

Damages the cells that line the respiratory tract, causing:

  • irritation
  • burning
  • breathing difficulty
  • acute respiratory problems

Also causes impairment of the immune system and a temporary decrease in lung capacity of 15 to 20 percent.


About ozone (O3)
Ozone is a highly reactive, unstable form of oxygen that is not emitted directly from any man-made source. It is formed by a complicated series of chemical reactions initiated by the sunlight, in particular by the action of sunlight on nitrogen oxides, reactive hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds; which are all mainly emitted by motor vehicles and industrial sources. As these chemical reactions can take hours, wind can spread ozone to places were no pollution sources can be observed.

Impact of O3 and VOCs on your health
Ozone damages the cells that line the respiratory tract, causing irritation, burning, and breathing difficulty, which can furthermore lead to increased symptoms of those suffering from lung diseases and asthma. Even at very low levels, the respiration of ozone can cause acute respiratory problems and impair the immune system, making people more susceptible to respiratory illness. According to EPA , ozone exposure can even cause temporary decreases in lung capacity of 15 to 20 percent in healthy adults and is the reason for more than 10 percent of all summertime respiratory-related hospital visits.
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