June 23
High ozone levels can affect our health.
	Ozone is a colorless, odorless gas. There is good ozone and bad ozone. The good ozone up in the atmosphere protects us from the sun’s harmful UV rays. But the bad ozone, which can literally make us sick, is found here on the ground level. It’s formed from vehicle exhaust, industrial plants, and chemicals that react with sunlight—which is why levels are highest during the summer. When we breathe in ozone, it can affect our lungs. Coughing, throat irritation, or chest discomfort can all be signs of lung irritation caused by the ozone. Ozone can also make it difficult to breathe and aggravate asthma and allergies. Breathing ozone over a long period of time can result in long-term lung damage. The best protection during high-ozone days is to limit the amount of time you are active outdoors and your activity level, or plan the activities for when ozone levels are lower—in the early morning or evening. Better yet, stay inside. The groups most at risk from ozone are children, adults who are active outdoors, and people with lung diseases—these people should take special precautions during days with high ozone levels.
	Why are children at such high risk? They’re the most active group, and they spend the most time outdoors, especially in the summer. They’re also more likely to have asthma or other breathing illnesses. And they end up breathing in more ozone in relationship to their size. So it’s very important on high ozone days, to encourage kids to stick to indoor activities.
	RESOURCES: Smog—Who Does It Hurt? Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov/airnow/health/smog1.html Health Effects of Outdoor Air Pollution American Academy of Family Physicians www.aafp.org/patientinfo/pollutio.html