How Ozone Forms



Ground-level or Abient Ozone is not emitted directly into the air. Ozone is created when Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) react in the presence of sunlight and heat to produce Ozone (O3).

"NOx + VOC + Sunlight + Heat = Ozone"

There are other factors involved with the formation of "bad" or ground level Ozone, including; cloud cover, wind direction, and low wind speeds. If the weather conditions are conducive, and there are ample amounts of NOx and VOCs, harmful concentrations of ground level Ozone can form in the air.

Often industry is blamed entirely for emissions that cause ground level Ozone air pollution, but actually private citizens are responsible for a significant percentage of the air pollutants that lead to ground level Ozone production. Motor vehicle emissions are the single greatest contributor to ground level Ozone pollution.

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NOx, (nitrogen oxide gases) is the generic term for a group of highly reactive gases, all of which contain nitrogen and oxygen in varying amounts. Many of the nitrogen oxides are colorless and odorless. The primary sources of NOx are motor vehicles, electric utilities, and other industrial, commercial, and residential sources that burn fuels.

VOCs, (volatile organic compounds) are widely used as ingredients in household products including; paints, varnishes, wax, fuels, cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Some VOCs are safe to handle and have little known health effects, while other VOCs are highly toxic. In addition to all of the man-made sources of VOCs, natural sources of VOCs exist. For example, trees naturally release small amounts of VOCs.

Source: ciese.org/curriculum/airproj/ozoneprimer

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