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Questions about Ozone
- Q. What is ozone??
- A. Gasoline-powered engines produce
emissions that form ground-level ozone (smog), a respiratory irritant
that can be harmful to humans. Ozone can cause eye and throat irritations
and can damage breathing passages, making it difficult for the
lungs to work. This pollutant is prevalent in major metropolitan
regions, including Chicago and Metro-East St. Louis.
Since the program started in 1986, vehicles have become less polluting,
but still contribute significantly to the ozone problem in urban
areas. As more vehicles are now equipped with an array of computer-controlled
components that reduce pollution, enhancements to vehicle emissions
tests will be necessary to effectively identify excessive emissions.
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- Q. How is
ozone formed?
- A. Near the ground, ozone is formed
in a three-step process:
- Gasoline, paints and solvents evaporate, releasing reactive
organic compounds.
- Cars and factories burn fossil fuels, releasing nitrogen
oxide gases.
- Heat and sunlight trigger a chemical reaction between these
emissions, transforming them into ozone.
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If you have any other questions, please visit the Customer Service
Representative at any of the vehicle emissions testing stations,
call the Illinois EPA at (800) 635-2380, or check this website for
updates.
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