Ozone and Foliar Injury

Exposure to ozone above the National Ambient Air Quality Standard may affect human health, causing acute respiratory problems, aggravation of asthma, temporary decreases in lung capacity in some adults, inflammation of lung tissue, and impairment of the body’s immune system.

Ozone also affects vegetation in national parks. Research shows that some plants are sensitive to ozone, and injury to plants occurs well below the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Ozone causes considerable damage to vegetation throughout the world, including agricultural crops and native plants in natural ecosystems.