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Ground level ozone rising

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: A new analysis of the latest available air quality data in Delhi carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment has detected growing levels of ground level ozone, known to be extremely hazardous for human health and unheard of in the city so far.

According to the report, the rising ground level ozone is the result of the deadly combination of high pollution levels and soaring mercury during this unusually hot summer.

"Ozone is not emitted directly from any source. But other pollutants, primarily nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons, that are spewed by the growing number of vehicles and other sources react in the atmosphere under the influence of sunlight and high temperature to form ozone," says the report.

The CSE claims to have assessed ozone data generated by the Central Pollution Control Board at its automatic monitoring stations and found more frequent violation of ozone standards as the temperature rises.

While ozone is forming in the city it is also drifting to the periphery. Ozone is harmful as even short-term exposure can trigger serious health problems. It worsens the symptoms of asthma, leads to lung function impairment and damages the lung tissues. Chest pain, coughing, nausea, headaches and chest congestion are common symptoms.

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Ground level ozone rising

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