During this time of year, the northern hemisphere of the earth is angled towards the sun. The sun's rays hit us directly, instead of at an angle like in the wintertime, making the sunlight that reaches the earth more intense. This is why it is hotter and the days are longer. More heat and longer days means more potential for ozone production. Ozone is an irritant that can cause choking, coughing and stinging eyes in healthy people and is harmful to children and adults with asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
Ozone also inhibits plant growth and can cause widespread damage to crops and forests.
In the U.S. most ground-level ozone originates in urban areas with lots of cars. The health of more than 67 million people is being compromised each day during the ozone season. If ozone pollution continues to be a problem, we may eventually experience costly mandatory control measures, including emissions testing and reformulated gasoline for our cars and restrictions on allowing new businesses and industry in urban areas. Contact Webmaster with questions or comments regarding this site.