As ozone levels increase, both the severity of the health effects and the number of people affected increase. In general, everyone should limit strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon and early evening hours, when ozone levels are usually highest. If you want to take action to minimize exposure to unhealthy ozone levels, you should consider scheduling outdoor exercise and children's outdoor activities in the morning hours, when ozone levels are generally lower. As ozone levels increase, individuals who experience respiratory problems may wish to consult their doctors. At the highest levels - an AQI between 201 and 300, everyone should avoid being outdoors.
Ozone is a colorless gas that can be found throughout the earth's atmosphere.
In the upper atmosphere, ozone exits naturally where it shields the earth from the sun's ultraviolet rays. The primary sources of VOCs and nitrogen oxides and automobile and industrial emissions. These compounds react with oxygen in the air in the presence of heat and strong sunlight to produce ground-level ozone, the primary ingredient of smog. Besides being a hazard to human health, ozone is damaging to forests and vegetation and can cause degradation of materials such as rubber and paint. Keep your automobile well tuned and maintained.