How is ozone produced?

When there are nitrogen oxides and volatile organic carbons in the atmosphere, photochemical smog will form in the presence of sunlight.

Vehicles, power plants, and other organic materials emit hydrocarbons and other easily vaporized organic compounds.

Sunlight + NOx + VOC = O3 and other compounds.

The public's health is at risk if this reaction happens close to the earth.

Ozone is primarily produced in the Earth's stratosphere through a photochemical reaction involving ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and oxygen molecules (O2). Specifically, UV radiation with wavelengths between 240 and 320 nanometers breaks apart oxygen molecules, forming two oxygen atoms. These atoms then combine with intact oxygen molecules to form ozone (O3). This process, known as the ozone-oxygen cycle, is essential for maintaining the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful UV radiation and protects life on Earth from its damaging effects.