Mar 14 2009
Long-Term Ozone Exposure Linked to Lung Disease.
According to WHO, 240,000 Americans lives are lost due to respiratory disease, while 7.7 million lives are claimed worldwide. The reason for these high rates is the effect of the ozone layer. The ozone layer is 7 miles above the earth’s surface, and it is a protective layer that blocks ultraviolet radiation. The ozone at ground level reacts chemically with sunlight which can cause further respiratory problems such as irritate breathing, decrease lung function, inflame airways, and worsen lung conditions such as asthma and emphysema.(EPA). These problems typically occur in hot, dry cities where highest concentration of ozone is found. Efforts to lower the ground-level ozone is currently being proposed.
Source: Health
