Ground Level Ozone Sampling Methods

Ground Level Ozone Sampling Methods
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Ground Level Ozone Sampling Methods
Introduction
Recently, near-surface ozone (O3) pollution has been surging, jeopardizing both human health and the ecological environment. According to Chen, Shen, Li, Li, and Wei (2022), accurately monitoring spatially continuous surface ozone remains a significant challenge. Ground-level ozone (GLO) refers to a photochemical air pollutant. GLO is one of the strong chemical oxidizers with negative impacts, including premature delivery of children and low birth weight of infants. Moreover, it is associated with an increased risk of depression or anxiety, the development of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, and early death among people. Concerning the environment and climate change, ozone affects the production of crops, therefore, causing national and international economic losses. Accurate monitoring of GLO can assist governments worldwide in determining the impacts of ozone and pursuing reasonable assessment of the existing ozone control measures.
Background Information
Currently, the primary method of monitoring ozone concentration is the national air environment monitoring networks with high accuracy and temporal continuity strengths. Nevertheless, this method is restricted to a discrete point distribution. Subsequently, it cannot satisfy the requirement for spatially continuous monitoring. The concept of point-surface has also been commonly deployed for mass concentrations approximation of the air pollutant. The idea of point-surface requires station monitoring data and introducing environmental factors linked to the approximation elements. So far, for the atmospheric ozone-linked products, the two primary groups include remote sensing and model simulation. Both these methods are spatially continuous and can be introduced into the point-surface fusion framework.
The popular atmospheric environment simulation techniques, including the Forecasting model and Weather Research, require both weather field and ground emission inventory as inputs. According to Chen, Shen, Li, Li, and Wei (2022), the simulation outcomes obtained by Forecasting and Weather Research Models for GLO monitoring can be comparatively close to the actual situation. Nonetheless, owing to the hysteresis and imprecision of the emission inventories, ground station model outcomes and monitoring values can differ. Due to these limitations, a new monitoring system for GLO should be implemented to offer accurate results. The new monitoring system should consider the generation of GLO, its health impacts, trends concerning emissions, and the worst cases that GLO has been measured.
Generation of GLO
Ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant that is generated through a chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. This reaction occurs in the lower atmosphere, typically between the surface of the earth and an altitude of several kilometers. Combustion processes, such as those in motor vehicles, power plants, and industrial facilities, produce NOx. VOCs, come from a wide range of sources, including solvents, gasoline, and emissions from vegetation.
When NOx and VOCs are emitted into the atmosphere, they are carried by the winds and mixed with other air pollutants. In the presence of sunlight and heat, these chemicals undergo a series of complex reactions resulting in ground-level ozone formation. Ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant because it can cause respiratory problems and other health effects in humans and animals. It can also damage crops, forests, and other vegetation. Because of these impacts, it is essential to control emissions of NOx and VOCs to reduce the formation of ground-level ozone.
Health Impacts of GLO
Ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant with several adverse health effects. It is essential to be aware of ground-level ozone's health effects and take steps to reduce exposure. This may include avoiding outdoor activities during times of high ozone levels, using public transportation or carpooling to reduce emissions from motor vehicles, and supporting efforts to reduce ozone-forming pollutants. By taking these steps, we can help minimize ground-level ozone's negative health impacts and protect the health of individuals and communities.
GLO's first notable health effect is that it accounts for some respiratory problems. According to Liu et al. (2018), ground-level ozone can irritate and damage the respiratory system, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It can also worsen asthma symptoms and other respiratory diseases, leading to increased medication use and more frequent hospitalizations.
Besides respiratory issues, GLO can also lead to severe lung damage. Fundamentally, prolonged exposure to ground-level ozone can cause long-term lung damage, reducing lung function and increasing the risk of chronic respiratory diseases. The increased risk of chronic respiratory illnesses is detrimental to the survival of individuals exposed to GLO.
Another notable health impact of GLO is eye irritation. Ground-level ozone can cause eye irritation and redness, leading to symptoms such as burning, itching, and watering of the eyes. When ozone is inhaled or is exposed to the eyes, it can cause inflammation and damage to the cornea, conjunctiva, and other eye tissues (Lee, Kim, Kim, & Kim, 2017). Ozone irritates the eyes' delicate tissues, causing inflammation and increasing the production of tears. The body responds to the irritation by increasing blood flow to the eyes, which can cause redness and swelling.
GLO also has cardiovascular effects. Some studies have linked exposure to ground-level ozone to an increased risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events. The exact mechanism by which ground-level ozone increases cardiovascular risk is not yet fully understood. Still, it is thought to be related to the effects of ozone on the body'...