Ozone doesn't come from a single factory. It’s a photochemical Frankenstein. Sunshine plus car exhaust plus industrial fumes equals our monster.
It forms best on hot, still days. That’s why summer heatwaves come with “ozone action days.” You’re not just sweating; you’re breathing in a chemistry experiment.
Fun fact: Lightning strikes actually create ozone naturally. That “clean” smell after a thunderstorm? That’s the good ozone in the upper air. Down low, it’s the same molecule—just a total jerk.
Why Kids and Athletes Suffer More
Kids breathe faster than adults. They also spend more time outdoors. Their lungs are still developing, making them a prime target for ozone bleach.
Athletes inhale huge volumes of air when they exercise. That delivers a massive dose of ozone deep into their lungs. A marathon on a smoggy day is a recipe for a coughing fit.
Even healthy adults feel it. After an hour of heavy breathing in ozone, your lung function drops like a stone. It’s like suddenly breathing through a thin straw.
PPT - What do These Maps Show? PowerPoint Presentation, free download
