Are ground-level ozone and particulate matter health problems?
Yes, if they are at high enough levels. Ground-level ozone and particulate matter are particular problems for people with respiratory illnesses, children, the elderly, and those who are active outdoors. Even for healthy people engaged in moderate outdoor activity, breathing air laden with ozone and particulate matter can create temporary health problems, such as coughing and shortness of breath. Air pollution is a definite health problem. Q: Does mowing my lawn or using other gasoline-powered equipment really hurt air quality? A: Yes, it can. Small gasoline engines tend to be less efficient and have fewer pollution controls than vehicle engines. For example, operating a gasoline-powered outboard motorboat for one hour produces as much ozone-causing VOCs as driving a car from Grand Rapids to New York City (about 800 miles). Each individual action is important. The cumulative actions of two million households can have a strong impact. Q: What are the best ways to “burn clean” (and reduce
