What is the difference between pollution ozone and the protective ozone layer?
Ozone in the upper atmosphere (primarily above about 15 km) is formed naturally by the Sun’s radiation interacting with oxygen molecules. This naturally occurring ozone screens the Earth’s surface from much of the damaging ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. However, in the lower atmosphere pollutants, primarily related to the use of fossil fuels, combine with sunlight to form ozone often referred to as smog. High ozone amounts near the ground are detrimental to human health, reduce crop yields and lead to the deterioration of materials such as rubber.
