Ozone (O3) is gas composed of three oxygen atoms. It has natrual and man-made sources. Depending on where it is in the atmosphere, ozone affects life on Earth in either good or bad ways.
Stratospheric ozone is formed naturally and protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. It’s found six to 30 miles above the Earth’s surface in the ozone layer.
Ground-level ozone is pollution, also called smog. It’s caused by everyday activities like driving a car, filling a car with gas or even mowing the lawn.
Ozone pollution forms when emissions from sources such as vehicles, lawn mowers, power plants and industry react with heat and sunlight.
Ozone pollution is harmful for everyone, especially to people with respiratory problems such as asthma. When ground-level ozone is inhaled, it makes it difficult for your lungs to absorb oxygen, making you cough.
Children and older adults are also at high risk when the ozone level reaches “Alert” status. In particular, children have smaller lungs, breathe at a more rapid rate and are more likely to be active without paying attention to respiratory symptoms.
Although it’s true that coal-burning industrial plants and chemical plants contribute to the problem, more than half of all ozone pollution is caused by everyday people doing everyday things.
Simple changes to your daily routine can help reduce ozone levels. What time of day you fill your car’s gas tank, how often you drive your car for short trips, and when you mow your lawn all impact air quality.
A network of eight monitors carefully distributed throughout the Greater Kansas City region measure ozone levels.
