Smog is formed when organic chemicals and oxygenated compounds react under intense sunlight. The Department of the Environment is responsible for monitoring ozone levels in Maryland. The Department also organizes action plans to reduce ozone, invokes air pollution regulations to protect citizens from air pollution, and educates the public on the causes and effects of ozone. High concentrations of ground-level ozone can cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, headaches, nausea and eye and throat irritation. Also, ozone may increase the susceptibility of the lungs to infections, allergens, and other pollutants.
Ozone can cause lung irritation in children, the elderly, and citizens with respiratory ailments.
The ozone layer in the upper atmosphere is essential because it filters harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. But, high accumulation of ozone near the ground is harmful to people, animals, crops and other materials.