Ozono troposférico e mortalidade

Normalmente associamos a presença de ozono na atmosfera a algo positivo, nomeadamente a famosa camada de ozono que nos protege das radiações ultra-violetas. Contudo, ao nível da troposfera, o ozono é um poluente com impacto significativo na saúde humana (é o principal constituinte do smog fotoquímico). Dada a sua poderosa capacidade oxidante e a forma como afecta os sistemas respiratórios de grupos sensíveis, pode em casos extremos levar à morte prematura, sobretudo se os padrões de qualidade do ar definidos pelas autoridades para este poluente não são suficientes para garantir a saúde pública:

"Short-term exposure to current levels of ozone in many areas is likely to contribute to premature deaths, says a new National Research Council report, which adds that the evidence is strong enough that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should include ozone-related mortality in health-benefit analyses related to future ozone standards. The committee that wrote the report was not asked to consider how evidence has been used by EPA to set ozone standards, including the new public health standard set by the agency in March.

Ozone, a key component of smog, can cause respiratory problems and other health effects. In addition, evidence of a relationship between short-term -- less than 24 hours -- exposure to ozone and mortality has been mounting, but interpretations of the evidence have differed, prompting EPA to request the Research Council report. In particular, the agency asked the committee to analyze the ozone-mortality link and assess methods for assigning a monetary value to lives saved for the health-benefits assessments."

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