What effect can ozone have on human health?

• A. Headaches and dizziness
• B. Respiratory infections
• C. No health effects
• D. Asthma and other respiratory diseases

Answer: (D)

Ground-level ozone acts as a powerful irritant to the respiratory system. When people breathe polluted air with ozone, the airways become inflamed and more reactive, leading to symptoms such as coughing, throat irritation, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. This inflammation can trigger or worsen asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases, and repeated exposure can contribute to longer-term declines in lung function. While headaches or dizziness can occur for some individuals, the most consistent and significant health impact of ozone is its effect on the lungs and breathing, especially for those with asthma or other respiratory conditions. Ozone formation is driven by sunlight reacting with pollutants like NOx and VOCs, so hot, sunny days tend to increase exposure risk, reinforcing the link to respiratory outcomes.