However, ozone remains a concern due to population growth and increased motor vehicle use. Health effects of ozone Ozone can pose serious health problems. It can irritate and inflame the breathing passages in the lungs, throat, nose, and sinuses. It can reduce resistance to infections, colds, and other diseases. It can cause harmful changes in breathing passages, reduce the lung's working ability, and worsen existing conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.
Ozone can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, dry throat, headaches, and nausea.
People exposed to ozone can experience fatigue, shortness of breath, or pain during deep breaths. Those at greatest risk are those who exercise heavily during periods of peak ozone concentrations, children, the elderly, and those with existing lung or immune system problems. Ozone's wide-ranging effects Breezes often blow pollution from urban areas toward rural areas and the mountains. In fact, the Department of Ecology's ozone monitoring program has recorded its highest readings in the Cascade foothills. Because of the way ozone moves through the air, people downwind from urban areas during clear weather can be exposed to unhealthful concentrations of ozone.