The EPA recently lowered the acceptable level of ground-level ozone from 125 ppb to 85 ppb 85 ppb 85 ppb 85 ppb because the old standard did not adequately protect health. While Allen County met the old standard, our ozone levels periodically exceed the new standard. Although it cannot be seen or tasted, elevated levels of ozone can have a variety of effects on your respiratory system. Ozone can irritate your lungs and throat causing symptoms such as coughing and wheezing . Ozone can constrict your breathing passages making it harder to breathe .
Ozone reacts with lung tissue causing swelling and chest pain .
These health effects are of concern to everyone who works, plays or spends time outdoors, even the healthiest people. The effects can be most dangerous for children, the elderly and people with asthma. Ozone can aggravate asthma , causing more asthma attacks, increased use of medication, more medical treatment, and more visits to hospital emergency rooms. Ozone can present an increased risk to the elderly because it can aggravate pre-existing respiratory diseases and is associated with increased hospital admissions. Every day air quality data is collected from a network of air monitoring stations located in Allen County.