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What is ground-level ozone?
It's the main ingredient in smog. And when it heats up in the summer sun, those
pollutants in the air react and produce ozone smog. Air pollutants can come from cars, trucks, buses and
industrial smoke stacks. Those are the obvious culprits. But they can also come from gas stations,
outboard motors, oil-based paints, cleaning solvents, lawn mowers, and farm and construction equipment.
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Isn't the ozone supposed to protect us from the sun?
Yes. And thats the confusing part. This invisible gas can be found in both the
upper and lower atmospheres. The ozone layer in the upper atmosphere is essential because it filters out
harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. But at ground level it can cause all sorts of problems.
An easy way to remember the difference is this little rhyme, "Good up high, bad nearby."
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Then why is ozone hazardous to my health?
High concentrations of ozone near ground level can be harmful to people, animals and crops.
As it builds up, it becomes toxic, causing shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, headaches, nausea, and eye
and throat irritation. People who suffer from lung diseases like emphysema, pneumonia, asthma and colds
have even more trouble breathing when the air is polluted. And it can be worse in children, the elderly,
and those of us who exercise outdoors.
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Can what I do really make a difference?
And how! Even the smallest actions taken by individuals can add up to a big difference.
Every summer day in the Little Rock Metro area, gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment releases more
pollutants into the air than a typical large industrial plant. By not mowing your lawn on critical Ozone
Action Days, you and your neighbors can really make an impact.
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Why are children so vulnerable?
Children like to play outside, and on steamy summer afternoons this could spell danger.
Their lungs are still developing, and they breathe more rapidly and inhale more air pollution per pound than
adults. On days when ozone levels are high, these factors put children at increased risk for respiratory
problems.
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What if I like to exercise outdoors?
An adult breathes about 20,000 times each day. During exercise or strenuous work, we
breathe more often and draw air more deeply into our lungs. When we exercise heavily, we may increase
our intake of air by as much as 10 times our level at rest. When ozone levels are high, exercising
outdoors greatly increases the chances that we will suffer the symptoms of ozone exposure.
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How will I know when to protect myself and my family?
During summer months, meteorologists forecast a day ahead weather conditions that will be
conducive to ozone formation. A notice is sent to newspapers, television and radio stations, which get
the word out to you. So keep your eyes and ears open during ozone season. Not everyone is
sensitive to ground-level ozone. You are the best judge of whether you notice any of the symptoms
described here. If you do, try to stay indoors, especially in the late afternoon. And keep an eye
on your children and other folks, like the elderly, who are sensitive. If they show symptoms, they
should stay inside. Symptoms usually disappear within a few hours.
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