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BreatheEasyWaco.org
Your Regional Partner in Air Quality |
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| | What are the Health Impacts from Ozone? |
Ozone is always present in some quantity, the following chart provides information regarding potential health impacts of exposure to certain concentrations of ozone.
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Concentration
(parts per billion) |
Rating |
Effects |
Recommendations |
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0 to 50 |
Good |
Little to no risk even for sensitive groups |
No Restrictions |
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51 to 100 |
Moderate |
Some respiratory problems for sensitive groups |
Persons sensitive to ozone may wish to limit outdoor activity |
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101 to 150 |
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
Problems for persons with heart or lung disease |
Active children & adults and persons with heart or lung disease should limit outdoor activity |
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151 to 200 |
Unhealthy |
Problems for all persons and serious health impacts for sensitive groups |
All persons should limit outdoor activity. Children and persons with heart or lung disease should avoid being outdoors for long periods of time. |
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201 to 300 |
Very Unhealthy |
Serious health impacts for all persons |
All persons should avoid being outdoors for long periods of time. |
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Greater than 300 |
Hazardous |
Life-threatening conditions for all persons |
No outdoor exposure. |
Source: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality |
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| | What are the Impacts to Children? |
The respiratory systems of children do not fully develop until many years after birth. As a result exposure to even moderate levels of ozone for a prolonged period of time can adversely impact the long term health of a child. Children are also more likely to be active outdoors for extended periods of time increasing their exposure. Several studies have identified a link between childhood asthma and exposure to ozone. |
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| | What are the Impacts to Healthy Persons? |
– Reduced lung function, making it more difficult for people to breathe as deeply and vigorously as normal
– Irritation of the airways, causing coughing, sore or scratchy throat pain when taking a deep breath and shortness of breath
– Inflammation and damage to the airways
– Increased frequency of asthma attacks
– Increased susceptibility to respiratory infection |
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