Toward a biologically significant and usable standard for ozone that will also protect plants

Environ Pollut. 2007 Nov;150(1):85-95. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2007.06.037. Epub 2007 Jul 30.

Abstract

Ozone remains an important phytotoxic air pollutant and is also recognized as a significant greenhouse gas. In North America, Europe, and Asia, incidence of high concentrations is decreasing, but background levels are steadily rising. There is a need to develop a biologically significant and usable standard for ozone. We compare the strengths and weaknesses of concentration-based, exposure-based and threshold-based indices, such as SUM60 and AOT40, and examine the O(3) flux concept. We also present major challenges to the development of an air quality standard for ozone that has both biological significance and practicality in usage.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollution / adverse effects
  • Air Pollution / analysis*
  • Air Pollution / prevention & control
  • Crops, Agricultural / drug effects
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis
  • Environmental Exposure / standards*
  • Oxidants, Photochemical / analysis
  • Oxidants, Photochemical / standards*
  • Oxidants, Photochemical / toxicity
  • Ozone / analysis
  • Ozone / standards*
  • Ozone / toxicity
  • Plants / drug effects*
  • Risk Assessment / methods

Substances

  • Oxidants, Photochemical
  • Ozone