Ground-Level Ozone

There are two different types of ozone: good and bad.

Good ozone is naturally occurring and located in the Earth's upper atmosphere. This type of ozone absorbs some of the sun's harmful UV rays before they reach the ground.

The bad ozone is found closer to the ground. Ground-level ozone is a product of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) due to heat and sunlight. The largest concentrations of ground-level ozone occur during the summer when both solar radiation and temperature are at their highest.

Sometimes, it is referred to as smog. Even at low concentrations, ozone can trigger air quality alerts. It can cause chest pains, coughing, and irritation of the lungs and throat.

Source: EPA.gov

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