Global warming, health warning

• 0-40 ppb. No ill effects evident but may contribute to asthmatics being somewhat less well;
• 40-80 ppb. Those sensitive to ozone may experience slight breathing difficulty with increased rate of respiration, possibly slight pain caused by inflammation of lung cells. May cause healthy people to become asthmatic or experience longer recovery times from influenza;
• 80-150 ppb. Healthy individuals may experience the above. Those sensitive to ozone will experience reduced lung function evidenced by the need to take deeper breaths more frequently, some pain arising from inflammation of lung cells and more frequent coughing. Asthmatics are likely to experience an increase in breathing problems;
• 150-300 ppb. Healthy individuals will experience pain from inflammation and other damage of lungs, be limited in level of physical activity, frequent coughing and soreness, congestion with phlegm and other fluids emitted by damaged cells. Those with pulmonary complaints (emphysema, asthma, tuberculosis, etc) or heart problems at increasing risk of dying. Those without them are at increased risk of developing them. Children and young adults at highest risk of lung damage and dying.

What is not known for certain is the effect of exposure to higher levels of ozone on a permanent basis. It is reasonable to assume that those effects would be more severe than indicated above and possibly fatal.

Increased concentration of ozone in the atmosphere must and can be avoided by reducing emissions from which it is made and curbing global warming.

Conclusion

Global warming is a very real health risk and one which is already beginning to affect us. It can kill us all and will do so if it is allowed to go unchecked. We know the risks, we know the measures required to limit them. The choice is ours.