Our summer memories are often filled with carefree days and cherished outdoor adventures. But for many, the rising temperatures and bright sunshine of summer now bring a tightness in the chest, a stubborn cough, and the feeling of breathing through a straw.
These are often the telltale signs of ground-level ozone, an invisible air pollutant that becomes more prevalent with heat and sunlight.
Perhaps you’ve noticed it on those sweltering afternoons, when the air seems thick and heavy, and our breathing becomes more labored. Or maybe you’ve heard the warnings: “Ozone levels are high today.” We learn that ground-level ozone isn’t something we can see—but we can feel it in our lungs. It settles over our cities and neighborhoods, and can make each breath a challenge.
Especially it the humid Carolina air.
North Carolina’s ozone season, which spans early March through October, is when ground-level ozone (tropospheric ozone) levels are typically at their highest. This harmful pollutant forms when heat and sunlight react with emissions from vehicles, factories, and even lawn equipment or aerosol products.
Unlike the protective stratospheric ozone layer in our upper atmosphere, ground-level ozone contributes to smog and poor air quality, particularly in urban areas. Along with particle pollution, it is one of the most widespread—and dangerous—air pollutants in the United States.
Exposure to high ozone levels can severely damage our lung tissue and trigger a range of respiratory issues, including:
And the burdens of ozone pollution are not evenly shared. Certain groups—children, older adults, outdoor workers, and those with asthma—are especially vulnerable or sensitive to its impacts. Environmental injustices further exacerbate this, with communities living near busy roads or heavy industrial activity often facing higher pollution levels.
Beyond human health, ozone harms vegetation and ecosystems by damaging plant tissues, reducing crop yields, and weakening trees’ ability to absorb air pollutants. This disruption in turn affects wildlife habitats and biodiversity.
The EPA enforces air quality rules under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to mitigate ozone pollution.
The EPA’s current standard is 0.070 parts per million (ppm) over an 8-hour average. While North Carolina meets these standards, individuals with asthma or other respiratory sensitivities may still experience adverse health effects, even at lower levels.
So, what can you do when ozone levels rise?
While we advocate for long-term, systemic solutions (see below), there are immediate precautions you can take to reduce your exposure and breathe easier during ozone season:
Knowledge is your first line of defense against ozone pollution. Check resources like AirNow.gov or sign up for EPA’s EnviroFlash alerts to find real-time air quality updates in your area.
Plan Outdoor Activities: Limit the amount of time you or your family spends outdoors when ozone levels are dangerously high.
If you can, schedule strenuous outdoor activities or exercise for early mornings or late evenings. Avoid prolonged or intense outdoor exertion during the hottest part of the day (usually between mid-afternoon and early evening) when ozone levels tend to peak.
Limit your time spent near busy roads if possible, even on days with good air quality forecasts. Traffic pollution can create high levels of harmful pollutants up to a third of a mile away.
If you have asthma or other respiratory conditions, identify your personal triggers and take necessary precautions, such as carrying your inhaler.
Ozone pollution is preventable. Small changes in our daily habits or routines can help reduce emissions and improve local air quality.
On Ozone Action Days, when the weather is hot and conditions are especially conducive to ozone formation, consider taking these simple steps (if you have the ability to do so):
✔ Use alternative transportation: Carpool, bike, or take public transit.
✔ Refuel in the evening: Minimize gasoline vapors that contribute to ozone formation during hot, midday hours.
✔ Conserve energy: Reduce electricity use during peak hours.
✔ Delay gas-powered lawn care: Wait for cooler days to mow, or use electric equipment.
But individual actions alone will not clear the air; there are also larger forces at play. The industries burning fossil fuels. The corporations prioritizing profits over pollution controls. The policymakers dragging their feet on stronger regulations.
Cleaner air isn’t just about personal choices; it’s about corporate responsibility, government action, and systemic change. Cities must invest in robust public transit, stringent emissions standards, and green infrastructure. Industries must be held accountable for transitioning to clean energy and drastically reducing harmful emissions at the source.
While some of us can change our routines to take precautions, that just isn’t an option for everyone. But all of us—especially those in positions of power—must demand action. Because air is something we all share. And clean air isn’t a privilege.
It’s a fundamental right.
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