Control
measures that have now failed to protect human health and the
environment from the increasing levels of ozone-earth's surface,
according to a report by the Royal Society. This report states that international action is needed to curb pollutants and protect people and crops.Although ozone (O3) at the top of the atmosphere protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet rays, ozone close to the ground is an increasingly serious problem because ozone is an oxidant potential and contribute to photochemical smog. During the summer months, ozone levels could be lower, exacerbating conditions such as asthma in susceptible people. It is also considered to disrupt photosynthesis and has been shown inhibit the growth of some crops.
More than 1500 deaths in the UK during 2003 were associated with ozone - a number expected to rise more than 50 percent in 20 years to come. Children, asthmatics, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to these pollutants, which can irritate the nasal passages and lungs. In addition, the reduction of crops such as wheat, rice and soybeans caused losses estimated at 6.7 billion euros in the EU alone during 2000.
"This is truly a global problem, because ozone is generated in one country can move to other countries through the climate system and jet stream (jet streams)," said David Fowler, chairman of the working group on surface ozone-earth Royal Society, "A strategy required to perform global reductions needed to protect human health and the environment. "
Ozone is not emitted directly from any source, but rather is formed by photochemical reactions of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides released from burning fossil fuels - mainly from vehicle exhaust fumes. Although some countries have had much success in reducing ozone levels through the use of catalytic converters on vehicles path, but global emissions of ozone raw materials continue to rise and the effect is expected to get worse.
"Polluted air can move up to thousands of miles away," said Mike Pilling, an expert in the field of atmospheric chemistry at the University of Leeds. "So here in the UK for example, if the wind comes from the east so we get a lot of ozone import from Europe".
Earth-surface ozone increases also strongly associated with global warming, Pilling warned, because ozone is a powerful greenhouse gas. In addition, changing climate means that ozone concentrations will increase in areas densely populated in the world, suggesting that these pollutants can threaten agriculture in developing countries.
Europe, the United States, and countries such as China had previously been committed to the control of ozone are very meaningful, "said Pilling." But it is necessary that the rules relating to the problem is in force around the world to address this issue. "
Earth-surface ozone increases also strongly associated with global warming, Pilling warned, because ozone is a powerful greenhouse gas. In addition, changing climate means that ozone concentrations will increase in areas densely populated in the world, suggesting that these pollutants can threaten agriculture in developing countries.
Europe, the United States, and countries such as China had previously been committed to the control of ozone are very meaningful, "said Pilling." But it is necessary that the rules relating to the problem is in force around the world to address this issue. "
Adapted from: http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/
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