Climate & Environment
Tropospheric Ozone (O3)
The smog-forming pollutant created by sunlight acting on other emissions — harmful to lungs and crops, and itself a greenhouse gas.
Definition
Tropospheric ozone is ozone in the lower atmosphere, formed not by direct emission but photochemically, when sunlight drives reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (including methane). It is the main component of photochemical smog, damaging respiratory health, reducing crop yields significantly, and acting as the third most important greenhouse gas after CO₂ and methane. It is classified as a short-lived climate pollutant, and its formation links air quality policy to climate policy through methane and NOx control.
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