Health Effects of
Ozone Links:

Long term
effects of
ozone exposure

Effects of
ozone exposure
on Children

How much
ozone is
too much?

Long Term Effects

People who suffer from lung diseases such as emphysema, pneumonia, asthma, and colds have even more trouble breathing when the air is polluted. Ozone reduces the respiratory system's ability to fight infection and remove foreign particles such as particulate matter. These effects can be more severe in children and exercising adults.

Long-term, repeated exposure to high levels of ozone may lead to large reductions in lung function, inflammation of the lung lining, scarring of lung tissue, and increased respiratory discomfort. Development of asthma, increased lung cancer mortality rates, and accelerated lung aging have all been linked to ozone exposure. Lung damage from long-term exposure to ozone can be permanent, while short-term exposure appears to be reversible.

The health effects of ozone are magnified in the presence of nitrogen dioxide. Frequent or long-term exposure to high levels of nitrogen oxides can increase the incidence of acute respiratory illness in children.