Just a few years ago, it was all about global warming this, global warming that. Now it's about natural disaster according to a new study. Recently, it was discovered that the global temperatures had actually DROPPED, thanks to China's coal-burning effort for energy, even if it means that the lowering effect is only temporary.
Yet this is doing nothing for the rate at which the ozone layer in the stratosphere is being depleted.
And how is this happening?
The emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, of course which is collecting in the lower atmosphere as the days go by, while also trapping heat in the atmosphere.
And what are we doing about it?
Nothing just adding to the problem by encouraging practices that deplete the ozone layer even further. In fact, scientists say that the ozone layer will continue to deplete until the year 2020 and forward.
And since ozone depletion is happening in the stratosphere, there is another challenge posed to our health in the formation of ground level ozone in the troposphere.
Ground Level Ozone
Yes, Ozone (O3) is present in both the stratosphere and the troposphere but its presence in the latter (the lower atmosphere) is bad for our health just as the lack of ozone in the upper atmosphere is too.
It's common knowledge that as the ozone layer depletes, the UV rays that are filtered by this layer, are allowed to pass through thus causing issues such as skin cancer and so on and so forth.
It's no different with ground level ozone, which is formed due to motor vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions as well. Gasoline vapor and chemical solvents which emit NOx and hydrocarbons react with sunlight to form ozone, and in particular on warm and sunny days.
Until now, there has not been enough data to conclude how damaging the ground level ozone can cause since the levels of ground level ozone differs in different cities but there is no doubt that it does more harm than good to humans, animals and even plants.
The Dangers of Ozone Ground Level
There are several health issues that crop up from matters related to Ozone Ground Level, and these are related to the lungs, eyes and respiratory tract. Some of the common ailments such as bronchitis, asthma, heart attack, emphysema, inflammation, lung damage and even premature death are a result of being exposed to too much ozone.
Some of the other issues that stem from an overexposure to ozone are chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion while the link between ozone exposure, lung cancer and mortality is still be investigated by scientists and researchers everywhere.
Yet it's not only humans that suffer from the overexposure to ozone but also plants and animals…
Right from the destruction of complete ecosystems all the way to reduced crop yields, the presence of high levels of ozone tend to have a debilitating on all forms of life.
You can read the information provided at this link for further information about ground level ozone.
In Closing
No matter how you look at it, it's important to note that you can take the necessary precautions by finding out information about your city and the levels of ozone.
