Ozone is created through chemical reactions between pollutants emitted from various sources, including vehicles, factories, and other industrial sources. These reactions are triggered by sunlight. The essential ingredients for ozone formation are:
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx): These gases are released primarily from burning fossil fuels in vehicles and power plants.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): These are emitted from a variety of sources, including gasoline evaporation, paint, and industrial processes.
Sunlight provides the energy for these precursor gases (NOx and VOCs) to react and form ozone.
Here's a breakdown:
- Stratospheric ozone: Formed naturally through the interaction of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation with molecular oxygen (O2) in the upper atmosphere. This layer protects us from harmful UV radiation.
- Tropospheric or ground-level ozone: Forms when NOx and VOCs react in the presence of sunlight. This type of ozone is a harmful air pollutant.
It's important to note that ozone generators, which intentionally emit ozone, are often marketed as air purifiers. However, the EPA strongly advises against using ozone generators as they can be harmful to human health.
