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Air Pollution Basics
Sources of Ozone
Unlike most other pollutants, ozone is not significantly emitted directly
into the air by specific sources. Ozone is generated
when heat and sunlight "cook up" Nitrogen Oxides
and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) to create ozone.
Ozone and its precursors can travel with the wind. Because of this,
ozone cannot be viewed as a strictly local problem, but more as a regional
issue that must be dealt with not only by the people in the highly urbanized
St. Louis area, but also by people throughout the Bi-State region.
The sources of VOCs can be split into four main categories:
- Point sources are large stationary sources (e.g., power plants,
chemical plants, major manufacturing sites).
- Area sources are sources which, when viewed individually,
do not have large enough emissions to warrant individual tracking, but
in the aggregate may significantly contribute to emissions (e.g., small
businesses such as dry cleaners or printers, vehicle refueling operations,
open burning, lighter fluid, painting).
- Mobile sources are vehicles traveling on public roads.
- Off-road or non-road mobile sources are aircraft, rail, marine
vessels, farm and construction equipment, lawn and garden equipment
and other such machinery.
St. Louis Sources of VOCs 1990

source: MDNR and IEPA
Typically, ozone pollution is a problem in the St. Louis area in the
hot summer months (from late May to early September) when the sun is strong
and can cause the chemical reaction to take place. Ozone levels tend to
rise in mid-morning, several hours after the rush-hour and onset of emissions-generating
business operations (as many businesses only operate one shift per day)
and peak in the late afternoon.
Missouri State plans to reduce emissions from a range of sources are
required under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.
Click next to learn more about how ozone
is formed.
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About Air Pollution Subcategories
Air Pollution Basics
• What is Ozone?
• Sources of Ozone
• Ozone Formation
Air Quality Facts
Health Effects of Ozone
• St. Louis Population with
Lung Disease
• How Healthy Adults are
Affected by Ozone
• Tips for Exercisers
• Ozone & Hospital
Admissions
Particulate Matter
Local Air Quality
• St. Louis Monitor Map
Air Quality Index
Air Quality Data
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