Ozone Health Effects

As a review for all of us, check out an overview of the health effects of ozone, prepared by Colorado's own Dr. Ned Colonge, the Chief Medical Officer of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

As Dr. Colonge explains on page 9:

According to the U.S. EPA, ozone concentrations as low as 64 ppb [parts per billion] can be dangerous for sensitive groups. Typically, half of all summer days along the Front Range reach the 64 ppb threshold.

Note that federal health standards currently limit ozone concentrations to no more than 80 parts per billion. Dr. Colonge highlights the fact that current federal health standards do not protect people from ozone pollution here in Denver, hence the need to strengthen them.