Ozone - Highlights from the Michigan Annual Air Report
Ozone (O3) is commonly thought of as part of the upper atmosphere where it filters out harmful ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun. Unfortunately, there is also ozone at the ground level and it can be dangerous to the public and to the environment. Ground-level Ozone is the main component in “smog” and can irritate airways, reduce lung function, and damage cells lining the lungs. Ground-level Ozone is created when Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) and NOx emissions rea