Rising ozone levels could impact health

If you are suffering from dry coughs, a sore throat or burning eyes you may be being impacted by summer smog.

In sunny and hot weather, so-called summer smog can form as ozone concentrations rapidly rise. Some people can react sensitively to this.

The reaction is caused by high temperatures and strong sunlight with oxides of nitrogen reacting with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly at times with little to no wind.

The term summer smog describes increased concentrations of ozone and other air pollutants near the ground.

Ozone often peaks in the afternoon and is expected to reach elevated levels to end the week as temperatures approach highs of 35C in some areas of the UK.

As a precaution, people who are particularly sensitive to summer smog are then advised to avoid outdoor activities.

You may think of ozone as being high in the atmosphere, this is known as stratospheric ozone and forms a protective barrier repelling harmful ultraviolet rays emitted by the Sun.

The ozone layer is a critical piece of the Earth’s protection, and it is being eaten away by man-made chemicals.

On the other hand, ‘bad’ ozone is also referred to as ground-level ozone. On the ground, ozone is a pollutant with adverse effects on people and the environment. Despite it being composed of oxygen, ozone is the primary ingredient in smog visible in major cities.