Ground-level Ozone
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Q: What does "ground level ozone" mean?
A: Ozone, naturally occurring in the upper atmosphere, filters the Sun's damaging ultraviolet light. Ground-level ozone is an airborne pollutant and key ingredient of urban smog. This ozone can damage human health, vegetation, and many common materials.
Q: What creates ground-level ozone come?
A: Burning fossil fuels releases nitrous oxides into the air. Certain solids and liquids such as paints, printers, and cleaning supplies emit volatile organic compounds into the air. Sunlight and heat causes a chemical reaction between these two gases which creates ozone.
Q: Why are ground-level ozone readings higher in the South Bay?
A: Our prevailing summer wind blows from northwest to southeast. This wind brings central bay pollution into the Santa Clara Valley. On a bigger scale, the same conditions bring Bakersfield some of California's worst air during the summer months.
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