Appears to increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. When nitrogen dioxide reaches unhealthy levels, children and people with respiratory disease are most at risk. Power plants, large industrial facilities, and motor vehicles. Ozone Irritates the lungs and breathing passages, causing coughing and pain in the chest and throat. Increases susceptibility to respiratory infections and reduces the ability to exercise.
Effects are more severe in people with asthma and other respiratory ailments.
Long-term exposure may lead to scarring of lung tissue and lowered lung efficiency. When ozone reaches unhealthy levels, children and people with asthma are most at risk. Ozone does not come directly from tailpipes or smokestacks. The VOCs that form ozone come from vehicle and industrial exhaust as well as evaporation of gasoline, solvents and paints, and many other sources. See also stratospheric ozone , below.