What health problems are associated with ozone exposure?
People with lung disease, children, older adults, and people who are active can be adversely affected when ozone levels are high. Numerous scientific studies have linked ground-level ozone exposure to a variety of problems including: airway irritation, coughing, and pain when taking a deep breath; wheezing and breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities; inflammation of the airways; aggravation of asthma and increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis. Repeated exposure can lead to permanent lung damage. There is evidence of associations with increased asthma medication use, school absences, hospital admissions, emergency room visits, and even premature death. Ozone exposure also reduces the overall productivity of plants, damaging cells and causing destruction of leaf tissue. As a result, ozone reduces a plant’s ability to photosynthesize and produce its own food. This makes plants susceptible to disease, pests, cold, and drought an
