EFFECT OF POOR AIR QUALITY

Poor air quality can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, cause shortness of breath, aggravate
asthma and other respiratory conditions, and affect the heart and cardiovascular system.
Breathing polluted air for long periods of time can cause more serious problems.

Ozone
Ground-level ozone, or “smog,” is caused when reactive organic compounds and oxides of
nitrogen get “cooked” in the lower atmosphere by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Ozone created in
one part of the Bay Area can easily travel to other parts of the region due to local air currents
and become trapped by geographical features like low-lying valleys.

Health Effects
Respiratory Irritation- Ozone can cause coughing, headaches, and eye, nose, and throat
irritation. Symptoms may last for a few hours after ozone exposure and even become painful.

Reduced Lung Function- Lung function is based on the amount of air drawn in with a full
breath and the speed at which it is exhaled. Ozone can make it more difficult to breathe as
deeply and quickly as normal.
Asthma Aggravation- When ozone levels are high, more people have asthma attacks. Ozone
makes people more sensitive to allergens, such as dust mites, pets, and pollen, which are the
most common triggers of asthma attacks.
Lung Lining Inflammation and Damage- Ozone’s effect on the lining of the lung is similar to
that of sunburn on the skin. It damages the cells that line the air spaces in the lung. Within a few
days, however, the damaged cells are usually repaired, just as skin recovers from sunburn
naturally.
Long-Term Effects- Most of the health effects of ozone are considered short term as they
eventually cease once ozone levels subside. However, there is evidence that repeated short-
term damage from ozone exposure may permanently injure the lungs. Other studies in heavily
polluted areas have linked prolonged exposure to ozone to the development of asthma in
children.

Environmental Effects
Ozone pollution also has environmental effects of ozone. These include:
 Compromised growth, reproduction, and overall health of plants. Ozone interferes with
the ability of plants to produce and store food. This also makes plants and trees weaker
and more susceptible to diseases, pests, and environmental stresses.
 Reduction of agricultural yields for many economically important crops, including
soybeans, kidney beans, wheat, and cotton.
 Damage or death of leaves so that they become spotted or brown or fall off prematurely.