This summer’s heat and sunny skies have created a health issue for Central Ohio residents. Ozone, an air pollutant, has made breathing difficult for some.

Twenty-four ozone alerts have been issued for Central Ohio this summer; last summer, from May to September, 10 ozone alerts were issued, said Laura Koprowski, spokeswoman for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, which tracks ozone levels.

“We’re concerned about the effect ozone has on the public’s health,” said Molly Fontana, the executive director of the American Lung Association of Ohio. “In the past we were only concerned about the health of children, the elderly and people with lung diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema.”

Recently, studies done in California, which has high ozone levels, have shown healthy people who work or exercise outdoors are also at risk for health problems as a result of high ozone levels, she said.

Ground level ozone, a major component of smog, should not be confused with the ozone layer of the upper atmosphere, Fontana said. Ozone contains three oxygen atoms and forms when sunlight reacts with hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides emitted from automobiles and industrial sources, according to The Ohio State University Extension fact sheet.

Ozone levels are highest on warm, sunny days. Although ozone in the upper atmosphere shields the Earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, ground level ozone reacts with living tissue, causing damage.

More than 142 million Americans live in areas where the air they breathe puts them at risk, according to the American Lung Association State of the Air 2002 Report released in May. According to the report, Franklin County received a failing grade.

The grade is based on how often the air quality of the county crosses into the “unhealthy” categories established by the U.S. EPA. According to the report, from 1998 to 2000 Franklin County had 30 days that were unhealthy for those with respiratory problems, and one day that was unhealthy for the general public.

“In general the air quality in Franklin County is good,” said Paul Koval, the supervisor of the Air Toxic Unit of the Ohio EPA. “The American Lung Association gave Franklin County a failing grade based on one parameter. I look at the forest rather than one tree. I don’t consider Franklin County as being rated as an F, especially compared to other cities,” he said.

In July 1997, the U.S. EPA set stricter ozone standards. This is the first year communities have been required to use the stricter standard for ozone alerts. MORPC started using the newer, stricter standard for issuing alerts last year, Koprowski said.

“Franklin County on the old ozone standard was on the cusp of being in violation, but was in compliance with regulations,” Koval said. Between the heat and the new standards Franklin County may not be in compliance after this summer, he said.

“Up to 50 percent, maybe more, of air pollution comes from cars,” Koval said.

On ozone alert days, people with asthma and other respiratory problems should stay indoors, especially during the afternoon. In efforts to reduce ozone emissions, one should avoid refueling cars until after 6 p.m. Gas fumes and fumes from spilled fuel contribute to ozone formation.