Various factors affect the production of ozone.
These include the quantity of reactive gases present, the volume of air available for dilution, air temperature and the amount of sunlight. Effects of ozone include interference with normal lung functioning, aggravation of respiratory disease and eye irritation, vegetation damage and water pollution. An area violates the federal standard if ozone concentrations exceed .12 ppm for one hour. Last year, for example, Baltimore exceeded the ozone standard 14 times. Recent research has suggested that the current ozone standard is not adequate to protect public health.