What Is Ozone?
Ozone is a colorless gas that can be found in the air we breathe. Each molecule is composed of three atoms of oxygen, one more than the oxygen molecule that we need to breathe. The additional oxygen atom makes ozone extremely reactive and irritating to tissue in the respiratory system. Ozone exists naturally in the upper atmosphere as a shield from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. However, ozone found close to the Earth’s surface – ground-level ozone – is a serious pollutant and health threat.
What Is Ground-Level Ozone?
Ground-level ozone could present a serious air quality problem. Ground-level ozone forms when industrial, household, and vehicle emissions react with sunlight and high temperatures. Central Virginia’s hot, sunny, summer days are a perfect medium for ground-level ozone.
Ground-level ozone can cause severe immediate and long-term damage to the health of humans and animals, the environment, and ultimately, the economic health of the Greater Richmond Region.
Where Does Ground Level Ozone Come From?
Ozone is formed by a chemical reaction between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen in the presence of sunlight and elevated temperatures. The primary man-made sources of VOCs and nitrogen oxides are industrial and automobile emissions. Other sources of VOCs include lawn and garden equipment emissions, and consumer products such as paints, insecticides, and cleaners. Ozone concentrations can reach unhealthy levels when the weather is hot and sunny with little or no wind. High ozone levels usually occur between 1 and 7 p.m. from May through September.