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Ozone Definition
Ozone
is a colorless, odorless reactive gas comprised of three oxygen atoms.
It is found naturally in the earth’s stratosphere, where it
absorbs the ultraviolet component of incoming solar radiation that could
be harmful to life on earth. Ozone is also found near the earth’s surface, where
pollutants emitted from society’s activities react in the presence of
sunlight to form ozone. Principal
pollutants involved in these reactions are nitrogen oxides (NOx) and
volatile organic compounds (VOCs); carbon monoxide (CO) also
participates in the reactions to help form ozone.
All of these compounds (NOx, VOCs, and CO) are termed ozone
precursors. Hot sunny
weather with stagnant wind conditions favors ozone formation, so the
period from May through September is when high ozone levels tend to
occur in the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin.
See the “Links” section for more information on ozone.
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