The stratosphere or “good” ozone layer extends upward from about 6 to 30 miles and protects life on Earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. ... There they are broken down by the intensity of the sun’s UV rays and release chlorine and bromine molecules , which destroy the “good” ozone.
What does the bad ozone do?
Cause shortness of breath and pain when taking a deep breath. Cause coughing and sore or scratchy throat. Inflame and damage the airways. Aggravate lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
How does bad ozone affect the environment?
Ground-level or “bad” ozone also damages vegetation and ecosystems. It leads to reduced agricultural crop and commercial forest yields, reduced growth and survivability of tree seedlings , and increased susceptibility to diseases, pests and other stresses such as harsh weather.
Is ozone depletion good or bad?
Ozone layer depletion causes increased UV radiation levels at the Earth’s surface, which is damaging to human health. Negative effects include increases in certain types of skin cancers, eye cataracts and immune deficiency disorders.
How is ozone harmful and beneficial to life?
Stratospheric ozone is “good” because it protects living things from ultraviolet radiation from the sun . ... Called stratospheric ozone, good ozone occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere, where it forms a protective layer that shields us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.
What is an unhealthy ozone level?
Good (0-50) No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range. Moderate (51-100) Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. Unhealthy for. Sensitive Groups. (101-150)
How can you tell if you are being affected by ozone?
People exposed to elevated levels of ozone may experience a variety of symptoms. The most common symptom is a feeling of irritation in the eyes, nose and throat . Some people may also experience respiratory or heart symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and wheezing.
Where is the bad ozone located?
Ozone occurs in two layers of the atmosphere. The layer closest to the Earth’s surface is the troposphere . Here, ground- level or “bad” ozone is an air pollutant that is harmful to breathe and it damages crops, trees and other vegetation.
What does ozone smell like?
Like a burning wire . Like chlorine . A “clean” smell . Sweet and pungent .
Which is responsible for global warming?
The main driver of climate change is the greenhouse effect. Some gases in the Earth’s atmosphere act a bit like the glass in a greenhouse, trapping the sun’s heat and stopping it from leaking back into space and causing global warming.
Can you recover from ozone exposure?
The effects are reversible, with improvement and recovery to baseline varying from a few hours to 48 hours after an elevated ozone exposure.
What happens if you breathe in ozone machine?
When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs . Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation. Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections.
Can you be in a house with an ozone machine?
An ozone machine is a mobile unit that can be used in the home or inside the car to remove indoor pollutants and odor . ... The ozone machine is usually turned on and left to operate for some time without anyone in the room. The room has to be opened and the air allowed to escape after the ozone has done its job.
What are the side effects of too much ozone?
Adults and children who breathe high levels of ozone for a short period of time (minutes or hours) can experience eye, nose and throat irritation , shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. Breathing high levels of ozone can worsen asthma symptoms.
How long does it take for ozone to dissipate?
Higher levels of ozone concentration generally take 3 to 4 hours to dissipate, while lower levels can clear out in about 2 hours. For extra safety precautions, it is suggested to wait at least 4 hours before returning to the room. Are ozone generators safe? When used properly, ozone generators are safe and sanitizing.
How can you protect yourself from ground level ozone?
- Stay indoors. Avoid spending too much time outdoors on high-level ozone days.
- Timing is everything. Gas up your vehicle in the early morning or late evening hours and mow your lawn later in the evening. ...
- Limit driving. Use public transit or carpool whenever possible. ...
- Conserve energy.
