Ozone

Ozone

1. Good Ozone

   • The “good” ozone, otherwise known as stratospheric, occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere. This ozone forms a protective layer that shields us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The sun's UV rays can cause UV radiation.
   • 'Good' ozone in the earth's stratosphere forms when UV radiation from the Sun breaks apart an oxygen molecule (O2) into two separate single oxygen atoms, which then bind with other O2 molecules and form O3 molecules, otherwise known as ozone.
   • The ozone layer lies approximately 15-40 kilometers (10-25 miles) above the Earth's surface, in the stratosphere.
   • The ozone layer is the common term for the high concentration of ozone that is found in the stratosphere around 15–30km above the earth's surface. It covers the entire planet and protects life on earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation from the sun.
   • The total column ozone is measured with an instrument called a Dobson spectrophotometer, compares the amount of sunlight at two ultraviolet wavelengths. One wavelength is affected strongly by ozone, the other is not. The difference between the two is directly related to the total column ozone.
   • What are ozone depleting substances? chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) halon. carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) methyl chloroform (CH3CCl3) hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs) hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) methyl bromide (CH3Br) bromochloromethane (CH2BrCl)
   • Breathing ground-level ozone can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Ozone also can reduce lung function and inflame the lining of the lungs. Repeated exposure may permanently scar lung tissue.

2. Bad Ozone

   • 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. It is a main ingredient of urban smog.
   • "Bad" ozone is found in the troposphere, the layer nearest the ground. Tropospheric ozone is a harmful pollutant which forms when sunlight alters various chemicals emitted by humans. "Good" ozone forms in the stratosphere, the next higher layer where some jet planes fly.
   • Ground-level ozone comes from pollution emitted from cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, and chemical plants. Ozone pollution can even come from paints, cleaners, solvents, and motorized lawn equipment.
   • Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema and asthma. "Bad" ozone also can reduce lung function and inflame the linings of the lungs. Repeated exposure may permanently scar lung tissue.
   • Choose a cleaner commute, share a ride to work or use public transportation, combine errands and reduce trips, avoid excessive idling of your automobile, refuel your car in the evening when its cooler.

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