Ozone in the upper stratosphere protects human health and the environment, but ground-level ozone can be harmful to both. Ground-level ozone is produced by the combination of pollutants from many sources, including smokestacks, motor vehicles, paints, lawn mowers, solvents and household products. How Ground-Level Ozone Affects Human Health High concentrations of ozone can cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, headaches, nausea, eye and throat irritation and reduced immune function. People who suffer from lung diseases such as emphysema, pneumonia, and asthma have even more trouble breathing in polluted air. These effects can be more severe in children, the elderly and exercising adults.
Children are more susceptible because they often play outside on hot, muggy days.
Their lungs are still developing, and they breathe more rapidly and inhale more air pollution per pound of body weight than do adults. Environmental Effects of Ozone Pollution Ground-level ozone interferes with the ability of plants to produce and store food. Therefore, growth, reproduction and overall plant health are compromised. By weakening vegetation, ozone pollution makes plants more susceptible to disease, pests and environmental stresses. Ozone smog has also been shown to reduce agricultural yields for many economically important crops.