According to scientists hundreds of deaths will be caused by ozone pollution. If nothing is done about this it will increase by about fifteen percent bringing the total deaths from 11,272 to 12,930, according to the Telegraph in the United Kingdom.
We all know now that the ozone layer can be dangerous. Out in the atmosphere it should protect us from the harmful rays of the sun, but the ozone layer itself has been damaged by pollution. The ozone protects us when it is farther away from the earth, but the ozone on earth hurts us.
What is Ozone Pollution?
There is also an ozone at the ground level of earth. It does not protect us from anything. It is actually a threat to our own health. When the sun light comes in contact with the various gases in the air we breath it causes a pollutant. The Royal Society has found that this pollution has increased by six percent per decade since 1980.
Those with breathing problems such as asthma are at the most risks, including children and the elderly. This ozone pollution effects mostly the lungs, eyes and nose. It is worse on warm and non-windy days.
1,584 deaths in the United Kingdom were due to the ozone pollution in 2003. Unfortunately, this will only get worse with the climate changes and the rise in global warming. It has been predicted that in the year 2020 these deaths will increase by 51% causing about 2,391 deaths. Ozone pollution gets worse with the amount of emissions, rise in warm temperatures, and smoke from forest fires.
This rise in the pollution of the ozone at ground level is even bad for crops. It will adversely effect the nutritional value of foods and decrease the amount of food grown. This could present a problem with food security. Ecosystems, the climate, human health, and crop production are all things effected by the ozone pollution on earth. Ways we can reduce this problem is by limiting smoke from forest fires, vehicle emissions, greenhouse gases, and various air pollutants.
This pollution is all over the world and needs to be treated by a global effort.