APES - Ozone

1: How can ozone be both good and bad? The ozone is an air pollutant that is harmful to breathe, damages crops, trees and other vegetation. It is good in the fact that it protects us from UV rays. The main difference between it being good and bad is its location in the atmosphere at the time. 2: What is happening to the good ozone layer? The ozone is being destroyed by man-made chemicals called ozone-depleting chemicals. This includes things like HCFCs, CFCs, halons and methyl chloroform. 3: How much damage can 1 Chlorine atom do? Explain. 1 chlorine atom can destroy 100,000 good ozone molecules. If one tiny bit of chlorine gets into the ozone layer, it can destroy a large amount of it. 4: How does the good ozone protect the Earth? The ''good'' ozone protects the earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. 5: What is being done about ozone depletion? 180 countries along with the United states adopted a treaty called the Montreal Protocol in 1987. It phases out production and use of ozone-depleting substances. There are also regulations to phase out the substances in the United States by the EPA. If these countries stop producing the substances, natural ozone production should return to the ozone layer to normal layers by about 2050. 1: What causes bad ozone? Bad ozone is caused by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight. 2: What are some sources of bad ozone? Sources of bad ozone are electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors and chemical solvents are some sources of bad ozone. 3: How does bad ozone affect human health and environment? ''Bad'' ozone can trigger chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema and asthma. It can reduce lung function and inflame lining of lungs. It damages vegetation and ecosystems by reducing agricultural crop and commercial forest yields, reduced growth of tree seedlings and increased susceptibility to diseases, pests and weather. 4: What is being done about bad ozone? The EPA has set protective health-based standards for ozone in the air we breathe under the Clean Air Act. The EPA, states and cities have instituted a variety of multi-faceted programs to meet these health-based standards. There are also programs to cut oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds. 5: What can we do/actions can we take to reduce our risks? One action we can do to reduce our risks is to use energy efficient products and adopt practices such as carpooling. Limit outdoor activities between 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun is most intense. Check the air quality forecast in your area. Use household and garden chemicals wisely. 1: Where is the good ozone located and what is its function?

The good ozone is located in the stratosphere, 6-30 miles above Earth's surface. Its function is to protect people and the Earth from the sun's harmful UV rays. 2: What depletes good ozone? Manmade chemicals are known to destroy the good ozone. 3: Where is the bad ozone located and what creates it? What does NOX and VOC stand for? The Bad ozone is located at ground-level. NOX means oxides of nitrogen and VOC is for volatile organic compounds. 4: List three health problems associated with bad ozone. (Hint: You may need to go to Ozone and your Health- How can ground-level ozone affect your health?) Irritate respiratory system reduce lung function inflame lining of lungs 5: Scroll down to the Air Quality Index Color Chart- Write down a one-word descriptor of each color code. Green-Good Yellow-Moderate Orange-Hurtful Red-Unhealthy Purple- Dangerous 6: After answering this question, go back to Air Now at: www.epa.gov/airnow/ In the far left corner, choose National Overview and then choose Ozone Now. What is the current ozone reading for our area?(use color code) The current ozone reading for our area is moderate. HOW OZONE IS FORMED Ozone is created from Nitrogen Oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds. The NOX and VOC comes from factories, cars and trucks. When NOX and VOC mix with sunlight, ozone is formed. GOOD UP HIGH, BAD NEARBY Ozone- gas that occurs on Earth Upper atmosphere protects Earth Ozone can be bad for health and environment at ground level Layer closest to Earth's surface is the trophosphere, extending to a level about 6 miles up, meeting the stratosphere Ozone is harmful for humans to breathe, and can cause chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion It can worsen asthma, bronchitis and emphysema Ground level ozone damages crops, trees and other vegetation Main ingredient of urban smog Stratosphere extends about 6-30 miles The ozone layer at the stratosphere blocks the sun's harmful UV rays Ozone produced naturally in atmosphere, but is being destroyed by human-made chemicals Some chemicals like CFCs are no longer used in the US but stay in the stratosphere Ozone depletion can increase amounts of UV radiation to reach Earth

Increased UV can lead to skin cancer, cataracts, reduce crop yields and damage sensitive crops

SMOG CITY 2 Take notes about what the various condition changes do to the AQI. More clouds: Unhealthy>Unhealthy for sensitive groups No inversion: Unhealthy>Unhealthy for sensitive groups More inversion: good>moderate Lots of wind: Unhealthy>moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups>good Temperature cooler: unhealthy High temp:good Energy source non-renewable: moderate Renewable: good Less cars: unhealthy>moderate Off road: unhealthy Consumer products: unhealthy Less industry: unhealthy for sensitive groups Small population: good Large population: unhealthy>very unhealthy Which set of conditions produce the best possible scenario for the city? Full sky cover, no inversion, high winds, hot temperature for weather. Renewable energy, small amounts of cars and trucks, moderate off road, low consumer products and low industry for emissions Small population Which set of conditions produce the worst scenario for the people, animals and plants of Smog City? No clouds, high inversion, no wind and very hot temperature for weather Non renewable energy, high amounts of cars and trucks, moderate for off road, consumer products and industry for emissions High population Summary The ozone is created when Nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds mix with sunlight. I learned that there are many parts to the ozone layer. The "good" ozone is located up in the stratosphere and the "bad" ozone is located at ground level. The "good" ozone protects us from the sun's UV rays. The "bad" ozone is harmful for humans to breathe, and can cause chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion. The problem is that the good ozone is depleting from man-made chemicals. Some chemicals include HCFCs and CFCs. The more the ozone is being depleted, the more chance of UV hitting our Earth. The rays cause cancer, cataracts and reduce crop yields. Air quality measures how clean or polluted the air in our area is. I also learned that the air quality is measured by color. Green being the best and maroon being the worst. Air quality is affected by weather, emissions and population. I learned that the best air quality is where the is clouds in the air, no inversions, high winds and hot temperature. Renewable energy is used and there are small amounts of cars and trucks and a small population. I learned that the worst air quality is with no clouds, high inversion, no wind and very hot temperature. The energy is non renewable and high amounts of cars and trucks on the road. High population will cause dangerous pollution to our air quality.