Ozone pollution 'poses serious risk' to environmental health

Ozone pollution could result in millions of premature deaths around the world and cause substantial damage to human health over the next four decades if it is ignored, a new study has found.

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Techonology (MIT) have calculated that long-term health costs could run to $580 billion (£356.6 billion) - a markedly higher figure than previously estimated.

Noelle Selin, one of the MIT researchers involved in the report, told environmentalresearchweb that the costs of man-made atmospheric pollution to human health are likely to continue to grow unless action is taken.

The website explained that ozone is created when oxygen mixes with emissions including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Ms Selin commented: "Since ozone is not directly emitted, but formed in the atmosphere by reactions involving NOx and VOCs, controls on these precursors reduce the formation of ozone and thus human exposure to this pollutant."

Environmentalresearchweb cited acute respiratory problems, such as asthma and chest infections, as side effects of exposure to ozone pollution.

In 2002, the EU introduced a directive to reduce and control the levels of ozone in ambient air across the continent.

Posted by Lauren Steadman