Air Quality

South Carolina Ground-Level Ozone FAQ


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Some Common Questions about Ground-level Ozone

What is Ground-level Ozone?
Ground-level ozone is a type of air pollution that forms on hot sunny days when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react. Nitrogen oxides and VOCs come from cars, trucks, smokestacks, and natural sources like pine trees. In South Carolina, pollution from motor vehicles accounts for a majority of air pollution.

I thought ozone was good for us!
Ground-level ozone is different from the Ozone Layer that is 10-35 miles above the earth’s surface. The Ozone Layer protects us from the sun’s harmful UV radiation, but at ground-level, ozone can be harmful to our health and the environment. Simply put, “Ozone is good up high, but bad nearby.”

How much Ground-level Ozone is too much?
Everyone has some sensitivity to ground-level ozone. However, children and people with pre-existing lung disease such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma are especially sensitive. Exposure to ozone can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Not only will reducing ground-level ozone lower health risks for the people in South Carolina, it will help us avoid mandated programs such as vehicle emission testing as well as restriction on economic growth.

What can I do to help?

Using the latest forecasting tools, high ozone days can be predicted. Ozone forecasting runs April 1 through September 30. On days forecasted to have high measurements, you can help reduce the formation of ground-level ozone by:

  1. Driving Less
  2. Carpooling
  3. Shopping by phone, mail, or the Internet
  4. Riding public transit where available
  5. Combine your errands into one trip, "trip-chain"
  6. Telecommuting
  7. Sign up to receive the Ozone Forecast via EnviroFlash
In addition to these suggestions, BAQ has complied a list of 25 Things You Can Do for Cleaner Air .

Remember, in South Carolina, a majority of air pollution comes from cars and trucks. Even though cars and trucks run ninety percent cleaner today than they did in 1970, people are driving more miles than ever before, and this offsets the advantages gained from “cleaner” technology.


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For more information please contact us at (803) 898-4123 or by email.