Unveiling Ozone

There is good ozone and bad ozone. We are discussing the bad ozone today, the one we breathe and can be harmful to our health. Daniel Mendoza, a research associate professor at the University of Utah, discusses the chemistry behind ozone formation, primarily from nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds intensified by sunlight. Daniel has started a project to measure air quality and heat in rural Utah communities, using both indoor and outdoor sensors. The discussion includes the challenges of ozone measurement, the role of vegetation like sagebrush in VOC emissions, and the potential benefits of using public cooling centers as environmental refuges. The episode underscores the need for more awareness and education about ozone's health impacts, especially for tourists in areas like Moab.