Why is ground-level ozone a problem?
[Back to Top] Ozone is a strong respiratory irritant, and can cause serious health problems, especially for sensitive groups: children, people with asthma and other respiratory ailments, and anyone who works or exercises vigorously outdoors. Symptoms of ozone exposure can include coughing, throat irritation, chest pain, rapid and shallow breathing, and asthma attacks. Emergency room visits for asthma have increased as much as 36 percent on high ozone days, according to some studies. High childhood exposure to ozone pollution may reduce lifetime lung function. High ozone levels also damage vegetation, reducing growth rates and crop yields. More details on the health and environmental effects of ozone can be found later in this section.
