NO 2 exerts its primary adverse effect on the lungs and can contribute to a worsening of existing respiratory conditions and loss of elasticity in the lungs. NO 2 also suppresses vegetation growth, causes corrosion of metals, reduces visibility, and helps form harmful ground level ozone. All combustion processes are sources for NO 2 including vehicles, power plants, heating systems, and incinerators. Because ozone production requires warm temperatures and sunny conditions, high ozone levels in Manitoba usually occur between the months of May and September. It does not breakdown easily and can sometimes be carried far way from where it is created.
Ozone can irritate the eyes and the nasal passages and worsen existing respiratory problems.
In addition there is evidence that exposure to elevated ozone levels results in long term effects on the lungs. Ozone reduces crop yields, injures vegetation and weakens materials such as rubber and certain fabrics. The ozone layer is found in the stratosphere 25 km above the surface of the earth, and protects the earth from ultraviolet radiation.