Health Effects of Ozone
Is Ozone Harmful to My Health?

Yes. If you are a typical adult, you'll breathe in close to gallons of air in a single day. If your atmosphere is ground level ozone-polluted, you may see your lung function reduced.

High concentrations of ozone can cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, fatigue, headaches, nausea, chest pain, and eye and throat irritation. The most common symptom that people have when exposed to ozone while exercising is pain when taking a deep breath.

Six groups of people are most vulnerable:

• Children, because their respiratory systems are still developing and their airways are narrower. They're more active and spend more time outdoors, inhaling more air pollution per pound of body weight than adults.
• People with pre-existing respiratory problems (e.g. asthma, emphysema).
• Athletes and individuals who exercise outdoors or work outside (i.e. construction workers).
• Some individuals, "Responders," are more susceptible to ozone exposure.
• Senior citizens, because their respiratory and immune systems lose some of their resilience. Damage caused by ground level ozone pollution can aggravate existing conditions or irritate tissues that make them susceptible to infection.
• Pregnant women.