| Ozone = O3
Ozone
is a gas that occurs in two layers of the atmosphere - both in the Earth's upper
atmosphere and at ground level. Ozone can be "good" or "bad"
for your health and the environment, depending on its location. Good
Ozone:
The naturally occurring Ozone Layer is the protective covering
in the upper atmosphere that prevents the sun’s harmful UV rays from reaching
us. This layer can be destroyed by man-made chemicals, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),
halons and other substances. These chemicals cause the upper ozone layer to be
destroyed at a faster rate than nature can replace it, resulting in holes in the
ozone layer. Bad Ozone:
Ozone can
also be found in the lowest layer of the atmosphere, the troposphere, where we
live. Ground-level Ozone ("bad" ozone) is man-made, a result of air
pollution from internal combustion engines and power plants. Unfortunately, the
Ozone (O3) down here at ground-level can’t simply be “shoved up”
to the upper atmosphere. We each have to do our part to prevent the creation of
Ground-level Ozone that is harmful to our health. On some hot and sunny
days in New York you can practically feel the smog around you. The biggest component
of that smog is Ground-level Ozone. Elevated levels above the EPA’s permitted
standard may cause lung and respiratory disorders. Individuals exercising outdoors,
children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory illnesses are
particularly susceptible. What you can do? As
an individual As
a business
Members of the Commuter Choice Program
automatically receive Air Quality Action Day Bulletins
so they can notify their employees. Employees can then make
arrangements with fellow co-workers to carpool to help reduce
Ground-level Ozone or take public transportation instead of
driving alone to work. Some employers will allow employees
to telecommute so there is no contribution to “bad”
ozone on such high level days.
Ozone is the most widespread air pollution problem in the
country and in the New York metropolitan area. You can sign
up for Air Quality Action Day Bulletins to learn if today
is an Air Quality Action Day. An Air Quality Action Day is
declared when weather conditions are likely to combine with
pollution emissions to form high concentrations of ground-level
ozone that may cause harmful health effects.
For more information on the health effects
of ozone click
here. For a national map of current ozone conditions, click
here.
For more information, visit: www.cleanairny.org
, or call 1-877-ILUVAIR (1-877-458-8247). | 
