Ecology Center

Have you noticed your eyes and throat burning a bit this summer? Maybe on some days you get winded a little easier or your chest feels a little tight. You may have been a victim of high ozone levels. This year Southeast Michigan is continuing a trend of higher ozone levels.

What is it?

High in the stratosphere, the "ozone layer" is a blanket of good ozone. The ozone layer gives all living things a bit of protection from the sun’s UV radiation.

Ground-level ozone is formed when certain chemicals mix together in the presence of sunlight, heat, humidity, and light winds. The chemicals that produce ozone, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), are byproducts of using fossil fuels, painting, some cleaning solutions, and some natural processes. Industry produces about 58% of VOCs, followed by 37% from cars and trucks. Cars and trucks are the primary source of NOx at around 49%, followed by 41% from other fossil fuel burning.

Ground-level ozone is a problem for all living things. For animals, including people, the primary damage is to our lungs. Ozone is damaging at any concentration, but our bodies are generally able to adapt to occasional short-term ozone irritation without lasting harm.

Why is it a problem?

High ozone levels can cause short-term harm to the entire human population. As the amount of ozone increases, the effects worsen, particularly for the large number of people who have various lung disorders. Children and the elderly also tend to be strongly affected.

Scientists have known for many years that high levels of ozone are a health threat, but recent studies indicate that long exposures to low levels may be a problem for children.

Is it getting better or worse?

Both. High levels of ozone have been greatly reduced since the 1980s. Most of the problems with the highest levels of ozone in Michigan are on the Lake Michigan shoreline communities, where ozone and the chemical precursors drift in over the lake.

All of Southeast Michigan is on a rising trend for ozone. In fact, if you attended the Ann Arbor Art Fairs this year on Thursday July 19th, you may have been exposed to the second highest 8-hour ozone level in the state this year. That reading, an average of 107ppb, was high enough to rank as a code red "Unhealthy" in the EPA’s Air Quality Index.

What can you do?

You can take steps to protect yourself and your family at the same time that you help your community. First, watch and listen to the media for Ozone Action Day alerts, produced on days when the conditions will be right for high ozone levels. Let your local media know that you are interested in this information and want it covered.

On an Ozone Action day, you should assume that ozone levels will be high and plan to reduce the amount of time you and particularly any children you know spend outside. Ozone levels are highest in the afternoon, so it is a good idea on those days to spend your outdoors time in the morning and stay inside later in the day.

You can help everyone by driving cars and trucks less, avoiding filling gas tanks, using grills, any fossil-fuel powered equipment, oil-based paints, and solvents on Ozone Action days.

The single best thing you can do to reduce Southeast Michigan’s ozone problems is call for improved public transit and walkable communities in Southeast Michigan. SEMCOG’s new transit proposals will help clear the air for all of us in the future.

Ken Clark is an Ann Arbor-based community activist.

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