South Carolina Ground-Level Ozone Forecast FAQ

Click to here view the "Ozone and Your Health" Brochure For a hard copy of this brochure, please contact Jack Porter via e-mail at: porterje@dhec.sc.gov

What is Ground-level Ozone?
Ground-level ozone is a type of air pollution that forms on hot sunny days when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react. Nitrogen oxides and VOCs come from cars, trucks, smokestacks, and natural sources like pine trees. In South Carolina, pollution from motor vehicles accounts for a majority of air pollution.

I thought ozone was good for us!
Ground-level ozone is different from the Ozone Layer that is 10-35 miles above the earth’s surface. The Ozone Layer protects us from the sun’s harmful UV radiation, but at ground-level, ozone can be harmful to our health and the environment. Simply put, “Ozone is good up high, but bad nearby.”

How much Ground-level Ozone is too much?
Everyone has some sensitivity to ground-level ozone. However, children and people with pre-existing lung disease such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma are especially sensitive. Exposure to ozone can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Not only will reducing ground-level ozone lower health risks for the people in South Carolina, it will help us avoid mandated programs such as vehicle emission testing as well as restriction on economic growth.

What can I do to help?

Using the latest forecasting tools, high ozone days can be predicted. On days forecasted to have high measurements, you can help reduce the formation of ground-level ozone by: