Ozone (O3) is a pungent, colourless (or faintly blue), unstable (reactive), toxic gas that contains three atoms of oxygen in each molecule. In high-enough concentrations of Ozone that can reduce lung function, inflame lung tissue, and cause coughing, shortness of breath, and other respiratory problems.
Reference Definition by Valleyair.org: Ozone (O3) is a colourless, odourless reactive gas and water soluble gas comprised of three oxygen atoms. It is found naturally in the earth’s stratosphere, where it absorbs the ultraviolet component of incoming solar radiation that could be harmful to life on earth. The Ozone is also found near the earth’s surface, where pollutants emitted from society’s activities react in the presence of sunlight to form ozone. Principal pollutants involved in these reactions are nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs); carbon monoxide (CO) also participates in the reactions to help form ozone. All of these compounds (NOx, VOCs, and CO) are termed ozone precursors.
Related Definitions in the Project: The Element and Substance
