Ozone is a highly oxidative gas formed in the lower
atmosphere (from
gases originating to a large extent from anthropogenic sources) by
photochemistry driven by
solar radiation. Owing to its highly reactive
chemical properties,
ozone is harmful to vegetation, materials and
human health. In the
troposphere,
ozone is also an efficient
greenhouse gas. This
report summarizes the results of a multidisciplinary
analysis to assess the effects of
ozone on
health. The
analysis indicates that
ozone pollution affects the
health of most of the
populations of the
WHO European Region, leading to a wide range of
health problems. The effects include some 21 000
premature deaths each year in 25 countries in the
European Union on and after days with high
ozone levels. Current
policies are not sufficient to reduce
ozone levels in the Region or their impact in the next decade.