Which health effects are associated with ozone exposure?

Ozone exposure is known to have a variety of adverse health effects, primarily impacting the respiratory system. When someone is exposed to ozone, they can experience airway irritation, characterized by symptoms such as coughing and pain while breathing. This irritation occurs because ozone can damage the cells lining the respiratory tract.

Additionally, ozone exposure can lead to increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses, including asthma exacerbations and infections, as well as longer-term lung damage. The harmful effects on lung function make individuals more vulnerable to developing conditions related to the respiratory system.

Choosing “all of the above” encompasses all these health effects collectively. Each individual option—including airway irritation, increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses, lung damage, coughing, and pain when breathing—highlights specific impacts of ozone exposure, but they all point to the broader and more comprehensive health risks associated with this pollutant. Therefore, the correct choice is indeed a combination of all these effects.