So there’s an ozone warning arond here. People are being warned to “limit outdoor activity”. I don’t get this. Air is air, and it’s constantly being recirculated in and out of our homes via fans, screens, air conditioners, doors opening and closing etc. If there are high levels of ozone outside the house, I’ll have the same level inside my house, right? So why the warning not to go outside?
You’ve got it backwards. An ozone warning means the ozone levels are low. Also, ozone generally hangs out in the upper atmosphere so it isn’t an issue with breathing it. The problem is that ozone filters out harmful rays from the sun. If the ozone level is low more damaging rays make it to the surface of the earth thus increasing your risk if sunburn and attendant health issues (skin cancer for instance).
Afraid not.
Ozone in upper atmosphere, GOOD.
Ozone at ground level, BAD (aka ozone alert).
As for as the question in the OP, I would agree that ozone levels in your house would be equivalent to outside air. I think the main thing is to limit activity. I guess if you’re in your house sitting on your butt watching TV, you’re less likely to suffer an asthma attack or other respiratory distress.
No, this is what is being reported in the news media all over the state. A quote from a local news story:
*Ozone is a colorless gas that hovers close to the Earth’s surface and is different from the naturally occurring ozone that shields the Earth from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Ground-level ozone, one of the main elements of smog, is formed in a chemical reaction between emissions from cars, industries, gasoline, paint, some natural sources and sunlight. Once formed, ozone can irritate the lungs, throat and nose, and is most dangerous in summer when the sun’s heat creates more ozone, and stagnant air allows it to hover over cities.
"Patrick Regan, meteorologist for the environmental affairs department said “Our best advice is if you don’t have to be outside, don’t go out,” Regan said. “Limit the time you are outside and definitely check on people who are more susceptible, such as the elderly and children.”
Experts warn that all people may be affected, especially if they are exercising outdoors during the hottest hours of the day."*
So my question stands.
There are two different kinds of ozone alerts. When there’s not enough ozone in the upper atmosphere, UV radiation gets through and causes skin cancer, blindness etc. When there’s too much ozone at ground level it causes breathing problems. High altitude ozone alerts are broadcast when the chlorofluorocarbon generated ozone holes over the poles spread to populated areas. The low altitude ozone comes from auto exhaust etc. cooking too long in the hot sun.
There are two different kinds of ozone alerts. When there’s not enough ozone in the upper atmosphere, UV radiation gets through and causes skin cancer, blindness etc. When there’s too much ozone at ground level it causes breathing problems. High altitude ozone alerts are broadcast when the chlorofluorocarbon generated ozone holes over the poles spread to populated areas. The low altitude ozone comes from auto exhaust etc. cooking too long in the hot sun.
Right. But what’s with the warning to stay indoors? It’s the same air indoors as outdoors.
First, I seriously doubt that there is such a thing as an ozone alert for lack of ozone in the upper atmosphere. That is a long term and geographically widespread effect. (WARNING: Don’t leave your house for the next six months!)
Upon further reflection, I think it does make sense to tell people to stay indoors. An ozone alert is often in effect for only a day or two and the ozone levels outdoors vary so that they are usually higher in the afternoon and early evening. Most modern houses are fairly “air-tight”, so it would probably take quite some time for a complete turn-over in the air in your house. So even though the ozone level in a house may rise somewhat, it should still be below what you you experience at the peak concentration outdoors.
Repent of your doubtful ways. Upper atmosphere ozone alerts have been a fact of life below the equator for several years now:
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/world/DailyNews/stratfor001020.html
Similar things happen in Australia.
With low altitude ozone, it’s better to stay indoors because the building insulates you from the transient high levels of pollutants that roll off any busy street. Inside you end up getting exposed to only a sort of 24 hour rolling average of the pollutant levels outside. That’ll result in an overall lower exposure to ozone.
Repent of your doubtful ways. Upper atmosphere ozone alerts have been a fact of life below the equator for several years now:
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/world/DailyNews/stratfor001020.html
Similar things happen in Australia.
With low altitude ozone, it’s better to stay indoors because the building insulates you from the transient high levels of pollutants that roll off any busy street. Inside you end up getting exposed to only a sort of 24 hour rolling average of the pollutant levels outside. That’ll result in an overall lower exposure to ozone.
Repent of your doubtful ways. Upper atmosphere ozone alerts have been a fact of life below the equator for several years now:
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/world/DailyNews/stratfor001020.html
Similar things happen in Australia.
With low altitude ozone, it’s better to stay indoors because the building insulates you from the transient high levels of pollutants that roll off any busy street. Inside you end up getting exposed to only a sort of 24 hour rolling average of the pollutant levels outside. That’ll result in an overall lower exposure to ozone.
Did the Hamster die today or what ?