List three health effects associated with exposure to ground-level ozone.

• A. Respiratory irritation, coughing, and worsened asthma with reduced lung function.
• B. Improved lung function and increased exercise tolerance.
• C. Skin rashes and hair loss.
• D. No health effects.

Answer: (A)

Ground-level ozone acts as a powerful respiratory irritant that inflames the airways and can reduce lung function, especially during exposure or with vigorous activity. Exposure commonly causes coughing, chest tightness, throat and airway irritation, and worsens asthma symptoms by making breathing more difficult. That combination—respiratory irritation, coughing, and reduced lung function along with aggravated asthma—is exactly what is observed with ozone exposure, making this choice the best fit. The other options don’t align with what ozone does: it does not improve lung function or exercise tolerance, it does not typically cause skin rashes or hair loss, and there are real health effects from ozone exposure, so “no health effects” isn’t accurate.