increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing
Particulate matter also has disastrous effects on the environment, including depleting soil nutrients, lowering the pH of natural water sources, damaging forests and crops, and affecting the diversity of ecosystems.
What is Ground-Level Ozone?
Ozone is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms. Unlike the oxygen molecules we breathe, which are made up of two oxygen atoms, ozone is highly unstable and reactive. Naturally formed ozone is an essential component of the earth’s upper atmosphere, forming a miles-thick layer that protects terrestrial life from harmful ultraviolet light.