Ozone and Biological

effects
 Ozone is a reactive gas that is present in the atmosphere. Ozone is composed of

three oxygen atoms bonded together. It is a colorless gas. Ozone is found in two places in the

atmosphere. It is found in troposphere, “the layer in which we live and all weather occurs,” and

the stratosphere, which is the “layer right above the troposphere” (Thompson, 2003). Ozone is a

highly reactive gas. Ozone gas has immense effects on organisms such as human. Depending on

where in the atmosphere ozone is found, ozone is considered good and bad for human. The

presence of ozone gas in troposphere is bad. However, ozone found in stratosphere is good.

Thus, ozone gas is a very important gas for organisms (Thompson, 2003).

Ozone gas found in stratosphere is identified as good gas for organisms. Ozone in

this layer provides protection layer for the organisms from the ultraviolet radiation. Ninety

percent of the ozone gas is found in the atmosphere. In addition, ozone is naturally formed in the

stratosphere as well. In stratosphere, ozone is constantly being created and destroyed “when

outside influences are not taken into account” (Thompson, 2003). Ozone is formed when oxygen

molecule (O2) splits due to intense ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Then, the single oxygen

atom combines with other O2 molecules. Natural process also destroys ozone molecule as well.

For example, when an individual atom of oxygen combines with unstable O3 molecule, the

reaction forms two separate and stable O2 molecules. This creates a thin layer of ozone that

protects the Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation and preventing the radiation from

reaching the Earth’s surface. This radiation is very harmful for the organisms. Moreover, ozone

plays role in creation of stratosphere. In stratosphere, temperature rises as height increases. This

process takes part in regulation of weather patterns in troposphere, which is closest to the earth’s

surface ((Thompson, 2003).

 Despite the advantages of ozone, the presence of ozone in the troposphere is

disadvantageous for biological organisms. Ozone presence in troposphere is from human

activities. For example, substances such as “cleaning solvents, industrial emissions, vehicle

exhaust, and many other products” release nitrogen oxides and volatile or unstable organic

compounds into the atmosphere (Thompson, 2003). These substances comes under intense

sunlight, thus through the process, ozone is created. This ozone is bad because the chance of

reacting with human tissue that causes many health problems. Such health damages include lung

problems, chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, asthma, and many others. “It can worsen

bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma (epa.gov. 2003). In addition, it affects “crop production,

forest growth, and wildlife” (Thompson, 2003).

The manmade substances not only polluting the troposphere but the substances

are also destroying the ozone layer in the stratosphere. These substances are known as ozone

depleting substances (ODS). Some examples of these substances include chlorofluorocarbons

(CFCs), hydroflurocarbons (HCFCs), halons, methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl

chloroform. These substances are released in atmosphere by usage of fire extinguisher, aerosol

propellants, foaming agents, pesticides, and coolants. The decompositions of these substances

are very gradual. It takes years for degradation. They are easily broken down in stratosphere by

the intense UV rays. The degradation includes chlorine and bromine molecules. According to

epa.gov, scientists estimated that one chlorine atom could destroy 100,000 ozone molecules. This

depletes the ozone layer. Therefore, it becomes easier for the UV rays to reach the earth’s surface

(Thompson, 2003; epa.gov. 2003).

Many things are being done to prevent ozone depletion or ozone pollution. For

example, an international agreement was signed to prevent depletion of ozone. It is called the

“The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer,” which was signed in
1987 and amended in 1990 and 1992 (The Center for International Earth Science Information

Network, 2010). The agreement required the participant countries to decrease the production

and usage of CFCs, halons, methyl chloroform and other ODSs. In the U.S., EPA has taken strict

measures to decrease usage. Warning labels are put on the containers of ODSs. Non-essential

usages of ozone depleting substances are prohibited from use. In addition, substitute products are

being produced (epa.gov. 2003). In addition, “Clean Air Act” was passed that included

preventing depletion of ozone layer. “Clean air act” was passed in 1963, which went through

revision in 1970 becoming stricter. It was direct response to smog of cloud in October 1948 that

remained for five days. This smog killed 20 people and caused health damage in 6,000. “Clean

Air Act” was passed under congress that required EPA or Environmental Protection Agency to

set health based standards for industries. EPA also encourages consumer to use alternative fuels,

or adapt to carpooling to reduce the usage and the emission of these products. For example,

CFCs was used in refrigerators, which is no longer used in that machine. EPA has also put

agencies around the country that can tackle the problem face to face. (epa.gove. 2008).

Ozone or O3 is a highly reactive gas. This gas is either found in stratosphere or

troposphere. Depending on where the ozone gas is found, it can have positive and negative

impact on organisms. Ozone found in stratosphere provides protection against the UV rays from

reaching the Earth’s surface. These UV rays are very harmful to organisms including human.

However, ozone found in the troposphere is very harmful because due to high reactivity, it can

cause harmful damages on human and other organisms. For example, lung problems, asthma,

low crop production. In addition, manmade chemicals that produce ozone can reach the

stratosphere and destroy the protective layer. It makes UV rays easier to reach the Earth’s surface

and thus causing health problems. EPA has done many things to prevent the problems such as

lowering usage and setting local agencies, enacted by “Clean Air Act.” International community
has responded as well by creating “Montreal Agreement” to lower usage and substitute the

ODSs. The recovery is underway though it would take 60 years to restore completely the ozone

in the stratosphere (epa.gov, 2008).

Bibliography

1. Good Up High Bad Nearby - What is ozone?. (2003, June 3). AIRNow - Homepage.

Retrieved May 16, 2010, from http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=goodup.page1#7

2. Montreal Protocol. (n.d.). Center for International Earth Science Information Network.

Retrieved May 16, 2010, from http://www.ciesin.org/TG/PI/POLICY/montpro.html

3. Plain English Guide to The Clean Air Act | Air & Radiation | US EPA. (2008, August

29). US Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved May 16, 2010, from

http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/peg/index.html

4. Thompson, W. (2003, March 18). Ozone in the Earth’s Atmosphere. The Physics

Department at Idaho State University. Retrieved May 16, 2010, from

www.physics.isu.edu/weather/kmdbbd/paper.PDF