What is the difference between good and bad ozone? Include multiple facts including where they are located.
Good ozone, also known as stratospheric ozone, exists naturally in the Earth's stratosphere and plays an important role in protecting life on Earth from the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This layer of ozone is beneficial because it absorbs the dangerous UV radiation and prevents it from reaching the Earth's surface.
On the other hand, bad ozone, also called tropospheric ozone, is a man-made pollutant that occurs close to the Earth's surface. This ozone is harmful because it causes respiratory issues and can damage crops and vegetation. Tropospheric ozone forms when pollutants emitted by human activities, such as vehicle and industrial emissions, react with sunlight.
Other facts about these types of ozone are:
- Stratospheric ozone is located at an altitude of about 10-50 kilometers, while tropospheric ozone is found from the Earth's surface to an altitude of roughly 15 kilometers.
- Stratospheric ozone makes up about 90% of the Earth's ozone, while tropospheric ozone only accounts for about 10%.
- Stratospheric ozone depletion, caused by the release of chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), can lead to climate change and increased UV radiation exposure on the Earth's surface.
- Tropospheric ozone can cause respiratory issues such as coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain, and it can also trigger asthma attacks.
Overall, while stratospheric ozone is a natural and necessary part of the Earth's atmosphere that protects us from UV radiation, tropospheric ozone is a harmful pollutant that has negative impacts on our health and the environment.