1. GROUND LEVEL OZONE Anna “is a” Blackwood Courtney “Is not elmo” Friend Julia “Herman” Schalles

2. What is this phenomenon and what are it’s facts?  Ground level ozone is comprised of Nitrogen oxide (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOc) “baked” together with sunlight radiation.  Ground-level ozone is an air pollutant that damages human health, vegetation and many common materials. It is a result of chemical reactions involving traffic pollution and sunlight's a key ingredient in urban smog. Effects only happen after repeated exposure for a long period of time. It can cause permanent structural damage to the lungs. It also creates aggravated asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis. The effects is has on the earth is 1-2 billion dollars reduced crop production the U.S each year. Ground level ozone interferes with the ability for plants to produce and store food. It also causes damage to the trees which trashes the appearance of national parks and recreation areas

3. Why Does this Happen?  Nitrogen oxide comes from car emissions, steel and coal factories, and other electrical appliances.  Volatile Organic Compounds come mainly from Coal or Steel factories.  Things like nail polish and hairspray also contribute.

4. How can I help?  You can help by carpooling to sporting events or social gatherings.  Also try to ease up on the air conditioning.  Another way is to not cut your lawn on days above 85 ° F.

5. Why Does this concern me?  Ground Level ozone has a number of health risks.  It causes breathing problems and plant growth depletion  Also it has shown signs to effect babies and cause birth defects.

6. Government Involvement  Clean air act –Set levels of air quality standards. –Some places in US cannot meet standards (nonattainment) –Tens of millions live in a “nonattainment” ozone area. –A lot of places are not producing the reductions in ground level concentrations of ozone for national health standard.