The process produces nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide emissions. The required controls on the expanded part of the plant will cut emissions of nitrogen oxides by about 200 tons per year. Installation of the agreed upon controls at the existing part will cut nitrogen oxide emissions by another 200 tons per year. In all, nitrogen oxide emissions will be cut by about 80 percent, despite the increased production capacity resulting from the expansion. Ground-level ozone can cause breathing problems, reduced lung function, eye irritation, stuffy nose, and reduced resistance to colds and infections.
Ozone can also aggravate asthma and speed up aging of lung tissue.
In addition to human health effects, ground-level ozone can cut the yields of agricultural crops.